
How to Stop 
Stammering 



A Treatise on the 
Science and Art of 
Correct Speaking 



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How to Stop Stammering 



A Treatise on the Science and Art of 
Correct Speaking 



BY 
M. L. HATFIELD 

Founder of a "Word and Sentence Method" for Stammerers, and 
Principal of the Hatfield Institute, Chicago, 111. 



Copyrighted by 

M. L. HATFIELD 

1919 

All rights reserved 



To stammerers, who are interested in overcoming 
their impediments, thereby making themselves, and 
those with whom they come in contact, happier and 
more successful, this volume is respectfully dedicated. 



• •• 

*MAR 31 1919 



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M. L. Hatfield 



CAUSE OF STAMMERING 

Before attempting to make plain "How To Stop Stammer- 
ing, " it is quite necessary to say something about its cause. 
Most authors on this subject do not claim to know, with any 
degree of certainty, the cause of the stammerer's trouble. 
They can see and talk of the outward manifestations, but 
the cause has long been a puzzle. 

I am convinced, too, that unless one has stammered, unless 
he has felt that peculiar mental torture, he is in no position 
to say anything about either its cause or cure. I was a 
severe stammerer for more than ten years. Exact, practical 
knowledge can only be measured in terms of one's ex- 
perience. I ask you who read these pages to study your 
own case as you attempt to analyze my meaning. 

The greatest subject for study in the universe is man, and 
the part of man that so astonishes and astounds us is his 
mind. The laws governing and ruling our own being are 
dearest to us; it is by a study of these that we are able to 
know ourselves. There may be found in the complex nature 
of man's mental organization changes, growths, and con- 
ditions, the rational explanation of which, to him who has 
never made a study of mind over matter, would seem in- 
credible. 

The understanding of the functions of the two great di- 
visions of the mind — the conscious and the sub-conscious — 
goes far in giving satisfactory explanation of many of the 
phases of mind phenomena. 

The sub-conscious mind takes note of its surroundings and 
conditions by means independent of the eye, ear, taste, 
touch, and smell. It seems to know by intuition. Memory 
and the emotions seem to dwell here. When we are in- 
fluenced wholly by emotion and feeling, we are said to be in 
a sub-conscious state or condition. 

The conscious mind takes note of the outer — the ob- 
jective world. It is fed by, and observes with, the five 
physical senses. It is the outgrowth of our daily needs. 
It acts as guide in our daily walks. It knows by observation 
and reasoning. 

I am going to assert and shall attempt to prove that 
stammering has its origin in the sub-conscious mind. When 
I say stammering, it is to be, understood that stuttering is 
included, for they, in my opinion, emanate from the same 



source. The difference is not one of origin, but of mani- 
festation. The stammerer will often hold the word back to 
prevent repetition and unpleasant sounds, while the stutter- 
er comes out with these uncontrollable attempts at utter- 
ance, making his trouble more physical than that of the 
stammerer. However, the same mental emotion is back of 
it all. I repeat: The difference is one of manifestation only. 

Stammering is, then, at bottom, caused by impression, 
imagery, made upon the sub-conscious mind. The sub- 
conscious mind is the seat of the emotions, the storehouse of 
memory. It is when we are in a sub-conscious condition 
that the most profound impressions are made. This state 
or condition often comes about by having the sub-conscious 
faculties more highly developed than those of the conscious 
faculties. It is at this time — when the conscious faculties 
are dethroned — that an unseen something, probably due to 
former experiences, so fixes itself upon the sub-conscious 
mind, that it is shaken off only with the greatest difficulty. 
Impressions made in this way seem to be indelible, and they 
remain with us, because the memory of the sub-conscious 
mind is next thing to being perfect. These impressions are 
either hereditary in nature, or they are apt to be made early 
in life. However, the child is more susceptible to emotional, 
sympathetic feelings, and there is an inclination on his part 
to believe in things, not because of their truth or untruth, 
but because to his imaginary mind, often mere fancies be- 
come the truest truth. He is largely controlled by intuition. 

There are many ways in which these impressions are made 
upon the sub-conscious mind, which, in turn, according to 
the law of the influence of mind over matter, affect the 
physical organism and are manifest in the various forms 
of stammering and stuttering. 

Stammering and stuttering impressions may come from 
mimicry. It is true that most cases emanating from this 
source were somewhat predisposed to a favorable develop- 
ment of what, rightly speaking, would be hereditary im- 
pressions. However, when a child mimics another who 
stammers, he is in a favorable condition for receiving the 
images of his unfortunate victim upon his own mind. He 
is then in a state of exceeding mental emotion, and after- 
wards is inclined to do, intuitively, the thing like the one 
whom he mimicked. 

And again, the workings of this unseen something may be 
actuated through fright, taking on the form of a speech de- 
fect; or it may be transferred to some other part of our 



physical make-up. The part of the body that the mind 
dwells upon during the fright is most likely to get the effect. 
For instance, should we attempt to talk while we are in this 
state of mental emotion, it is highly probable that we will 
stammer. Should we continue to stammer after the fright 
has passed away, it is proof enough that our speaking organs, 
under certain conditions, have been influenced by these in- 
delible impressions made upon the inner consciousness. 
When we attempt to talk, we are constantly haunted by the 
thought that we are likely to stammer. Our organs of 
speech, then, become unruly, because of mental agitation — 
fear thoughts. Just why all people who have been badly 
frightened, did not stammer afterward, may be accounted 
for from the fact that all people are not constituted alike. 
One is subject to impressions of a particular nature, another 
to impressions of an entirely different nature. 

Sickness lowers the vitality and renders conditions that 
are favorable to the growth of stammering images and im- 
pressions. At this time one's confidence is weak. Sub- 
consciousness often gains the ascendency. Many people de- 
velop a self-conscious condition and begin to stammer im- 
mediately after such sicknesses as diphtheria, scarlet fever, 
etc. I have often been asked why more boys stammer than 
girls. To this I would say that baby boys have less vi- 
tality — less clinging power to life — than baby girls. There 
may be other reasons, however. 

Probably the form of stammering that is most difficult to 
understand is that of heredity. This form of stammering 
will be better understood after we have made a careful study 
of the influence of mind over matter. In truth, the study 
of the influence of mind over matter is necessary to an in- 
telligent understanding of any form of stammering, but 
doubly so here. The natural faculties of a well-balanced 
mind are all harmonious and subject to the government of 
the will. But suppose during the original construction of a 
child's brain, a powerful influence or impression is made 
upon the maternal mind, which impression, being reflected 
upon the brain of the embryo, in the same faculty, say, of a 
speech defect, causing it to be abnormally developed, we 
have as a natural consequence a person freely disposed to 
stammer. This same influence may extend farther back 
than father or mother. 

"But," you say, "why does not a child betray its im- 
pediment when very young?" The reason to me is obvious. 
At that stage of its life there is no mental emotion attached 



to its talking. It speaks intuitively and spontaneously, and 
not until a more complex action is thrown upon it, do these 
impressions begin to haunt its mind. Mental emotion, then, 
increases and the attributes of the sub-conscious mind are 
developed out of proportion to those of the conscious mind, 
causing an unbalanced equilibrium of control. When the 
time comes, in its life, for a definite arrangement of thoughts, 
the trouble begins to manifest itself. 

To strengthen what I have said on the cause of stammer- 
ing, I shall leave a few thoughts on the subject of mind over 
matter. 

Mind over Matter — The idea of the influence of mind 
over matter seems to have been held by men for ages. In- 
deed, at certain periods of past history, men seemed to 
understand it better, or at least they practiced the power of 
demonstrating it far more than now. 

Why is it that we see every day men whose influence over 
an individual or audience is so much greater than that of 
other men who are equally as intelligent? And why do these 
men accomplish so much with comparative ease, while other 
men, with even greater advantages, fail? Why is it that 
some men have recovered from sickness, when all indications 
pointed to the fact that recovery was next thing to an im- 
possibility; while, on the other hand, men have died, when 
all indications pointed to the fact that they should have 
recovered? In many instances, simply the influence of 
mind over matter. 

Instances of great importance to the scientific world are 
occurring daily that prove mind to have marvelous power 
over the physical organism. 

I once heard a learned professor give a lecture on 
" Thought." He said, that on a trip taken by himself 
across the Atlantic, the report got aboard the vessel (which 
was false, however) that there was a man on board who had 
a very contagious disease, the first symptoms of which were 
acute pains under the arm pits. The professor was much 
troubled at the thought of an unavoidable sickness which 
was to come upon him, and consequently kept his mind riv- 
eted on those first symptoms, acute pains under the arm 
pits, until he actually felt real pains. He was told of the 
false report, and it was only by persistent effort and concen- 
tration of the will that he succeeded in warding off the com- 
ing attack. 

The conclusion that I am able to draw from the above is 
this: Thoughts are real things. 

6 



Instances have been known where one's hair has turned 
from black to white almost instantaneously, and from fright. 
Mr. Allen Pinkert on, the celebrated detective, relates a story 
of "A young man of nineteen years, a tramp, who, in 1877, 
boarded the celebrated fast train from New York to San 
Francisco, sent by Jarret and Palmer, and climbed to the 
top of the car and sat down to enjoy a swift and easy ride. 
Soon the engineer caught sight of him and at once opened 
wide the throttle, and increased the speed of the engine to 
the uttermost. He showered him with hot cinders like 
sharp hailstones, which caught into his arms and burned his 
clothes. The poor tramp had to cling with all his might to 
the stove pipe to keep from falling off, so badly did the swift 
going car sway from side to side. On reaching Green river, 
the poor fellow was taken down more dead than alive, and 
his black hair was turned completely white." 

Professor Carpenter tells a story (Philosophy, Sec. 124) 
"Of a mother who was standing at a window; suddenly she 
sees at another window a sash fall upon the fingers of her 
own infant. Three little pink fingers are mashed and sev- 
ered from the hand. Three mangled, bleeding stumps are 
before her horrified eyes. But she is powerless to move so 
as to help the child. A surgeon is called in and dressed the 
wounds. When he has finished, he turns to behold the 
mother rocking back and forth moaning and complaining 
of a severe pain in the hand. Within twenty-four hours 
three of her fingers, corresponding to those of the hand of 
the infant, begin to swell, becoming inflamed, and have to 
be lanced." 

They go through the process of wounds produced by 
direct injury, although wholly unhurt except by the action 
of the mental forces unconsciously directed to that spot. 

I could go on in this way and fill a whole volume with 
incidents of this nature, the truth of which there can be no 
doubt. But the above given will suffice. Now, what 
caused the pain under the arms? The black hair to turn 
white? The mother's fingers to swell up, become inflamed, 
and have to be lanced? 

Simply this: Impressions made upon the sub-conscious 
mind have a wonderful, mysterious influence upon the 
physical organism. Then, are not the organs of speech the 
most susceptible of our whole organism to the influence of 
mental impressions? 

"But, " you say, "why is it that sometimes I talk well and 
at other times am unable to talk at all?" The reason is 



clear. The impressions of which I have been speaking were 
only conditionally made; that is to say, when the mind was 
agitated, disturbed by some external force or agency, or 
internal whirl of self-conscious feeling and emotion. There 
are times when we forget these impressions by the tone and 
character of our conversations. Often, too, these impres- 
sions are of certain particular words, or sounds rather, which 
become a veritable " bugaboo" to us. When these sounds 
begin words that are of little consequence in the phrase or 
sentence, we are apt to utter them with little or no trouble. 
Then, too, there are a hundred and one ways of " beating 
the devil around the bush;" we use synonyms, shun difficult 
words altogether, and in some manner succeed in carrying 
on a conversation by concealing our impediment. Then, 
there are times when the stammerer really gains an equilib- 
rium of control, thereby exposing the fallacy of clinging to 
these hallucinations. 

Let me again repeat: All forms of stammering emanate 
from the same source, namely, indelible impressions upon 
the sub-conscious mind. These impressions are often so 
real that the afflicted one is unable to utter a sound. The 
way in which they act on the vocal, respiratory, and articu- 
late organs of speech is often such as to cause one to think 
something wrong with these organs themselves, which is an 
absolute absurdity. The trouble is not in these organs of 
speech, but lies slumbering in the inner consciousness. 

We have, then, the most conclusive evidence that upon 
the physical organism alone, through which the mental 
forces act, are found the manifestations of all the peculiar- 
ities, defects, and deficiencies — all the variations observed 
in the life and character of every human being. 

Types of Stammering — It will be observed that I use 
the term " stammering" for the chief of speech defects; this 
is done for convenience. Although in dealing with mani- 
festations, stuttering and stammering are quite distinct. Re- 
member that I am now speaking of manifestations, not cause. 

Authors, who have written on this subject, name and 
describe a great many classes or types. I state that there 
are as many types of stammering as there are individuals who 
stammer. Each manifests his trouble somewhat differently 
from all others. In all my experience with stammerers, 
I have yet to see two afflicted alike in all particulars. And, 
too, each individual must be treated somewhat differently, 
especially in the finer points of his growth, development — 
re-education. Of course, there are general principles that 

8 



will apply to all, but the teacher who gets best results is he 
who becomes thoroughly acquainted with his students — he 
who finds out each one's peculiarities, and weakness, and by 
exerting a moral influence over him, gains his confidence 
and secures his hearty co-operation. 

Each stammerer has his own characteristics. Some are 
melancholy; others are joyous and optimistic. Some are 
in good health; others are sickly and delicate. There are 
those who stammer always and always stammer; there are 
others who stammer more by spells. Some think of the 
expected trouble before entering into conversation; others 
begin to see images that give rise to stammering after they 
have begun a conversation. Some are able to speak before 
an audience with ease, but are unable to carry on a conversa- 
tion; others are able to carry on a conversation, but are 
unable to address an audience. Some repeat their words and 
syllables over and over again; others by closing the glottis, 
stop and hold their words back, through fear of betraying 
their impediment, which makes them extremely self-con- 
scious. Some have greater difficulty in talking to strangers; 
others find it laborious to talk with friends and acquaint- 
ances. Some stammer on certain sounds only; others 
cannot utter any word, if that word is an emphatic, an im- 
portant word in the discourse. I repeat: There are as 
many types of stammering as there are individuals who stammer. 

However, from the standpoint of manifestations, and for 
general purposes of discussion, speech impediments may be 
grouped into three classes, viz. : stammering, stuttering, and 
combined stammering and stuttering. 

Points That Characterize the Stammerer: 

1. — His trouble is purely mental. Certain words are such 
a barrier to his progress that they become veritable " buga- 
boos." 

2. — He usually improves under trying circumstances. 
By great exertion of will-power, he may be able to conceal 
his impediment for a time. This is accounted for from the 
fact that the conscious mind gains the ascendency over the 
sub-conscious, establishing an equilibrium of control. 

3. — Often he has a complete stoppage of voice. Fre- 
quently this stoppage is voluntarily made in order to con- 
ceal the contortions and unpleasant sounds that would 
otherwise follow. 

4. — His trouble may manifest itself even when talking 
aloud alone. This is due to the degree in which the mental 
images have been stamped. 

9 



Points That Characterize the Stutterer: 

1. — Mental images are not as deeply stamped as they are 
with the stammerer, but the trend is in that direction. 

2. — His breathing is quite abnormal. His efforts in 
trying to talk rapidly aggravate the situation, and he often 
finds himself attempting the impossible — trying to talk on 
exhausted breath, or even with inhalations and gasps. 
This gives rise to constant repetition of syllables and words. 

3. — He is often subject to facial and bodily contortions. 
This is done to draw his attention from the syllable or word 
that has suddenly become a barrier to his progress. 

4. — He is able to whisper without difficulty. Is apt to 
talk better to friends and acquaintances than to strangers. 

Points That Characterize the Combined Stammerer 
and Stutterer: 

1. — Abnormal respiration. 

2. — Repetition of sounds, syllables and words, under 
certain conditions. 

3. — Complete stoppage at times. 

4. — Subject to the most dreaded things of all — the "buga- 
boo" word. 

Evolution of Stammering — I shall discuss this sub- 
ject in the light of my own experience, for, at one time, I 
stammered worse, perhaps, than the reader of these pages. 
Added to this, I have had the experience as an instructor 
for stammerers for more than ten years. Indeed, how is one 
to give satisfactory information on any subject save in 
terms of his own experience? 

Theoretical knowledge is a valuable thing, and, often 
serves as a means of helping him, who has a message resting 
upon his mind, to convey his thoughts, feelings, and ex- 
periences to others. But how vain are all our hopes of 
theory when unsupported by habitual practice! 

If we were to see the workings of the many phases of mind 
phenomena at once, the sight would be astounding; it would 
tend to discourage us from understanding aright. But, 
"Necessity is the mother of invention." When the time 
comes that many people demand the explanation of a mind 
phenomenon that impedes their progress and handicaps them 
on all sides, some persons are apt to think seriously on the 
subject, and try, if possible, to find out by nature and 
natural laws the cause and growth of the trouble, and 
devise a means by which it may be stopped. 
"And Nature, the old Nurse, took 
The child upon her knee, 
Saying here is a story book 
Thy father has written for thee. " 
10 



Stammering, as has been discussed, has its source in our 
inner being — in our sub-conscious mind. It first appears in 
the form of a sensation, a disturbance, an impression, caused 
by some external influence or force, or by some internal 
stimulus. Indeed, our knowledge of all things is, at bottom, 
the outgrowth of sensation, is it not? With our perceptive 
faculties we perceive the knowledge that lies hidden in the 
raw material of sensations. 

When the sensation or impression that causes us to 
stammer is interpreted by the conscious mind, we are placed 
in a state of uneasiness and fear; we are then made to believe 
that there is a reality in it. Through the workings of our 
imagination, our ideas, arising out of sensations, become the 
complex product of a complete image. And in the stammerer's 
case, I know of nothing to which it can be likened. It is 
not a thing to be seen, but something to which powerful feel- 
ings are attached. It is though, at bottom, an utter nonen- 
tity — a thing with no existence, save in our imaginary and 
emotional minds. 

The trouble may appear, at first, on a particular combi- 
nation of sounds. This leaves us uncomfortable, and after- 
ward the thought of this troublesome combination puts us in 
a whirl of emotion. In our haste to get by the obstacle, we 
may stammer on words that heretofore had been easy to 
utter. In this manner we acquire new images. 

I remember distinctly the first word I ever stammered over. 
It was in this way: In a grammar school, the teacher asked 
the class a question, the answer to which was "personi- 
fication." It so happened that I was the only one in the 
class who knew the answer (perhaps you think it must have 
been a dull class), but no matter. Anyway, I held up my 
hand to answer and was much excited, probably because I 
thought I was so bright. I stammered over the word quite 
badly. That left an impression on my mind that words 
beginning with the sound "p" under certain conditions 
were difficult for me to utter. Those thoughts materialized. 
Finally it enlarged and I found myself having trouble on 
kindred sounds like u b" and u m". My stammering was 
evolutionizing. 

During a stage of evolution, the stammerer is likely to 
get temporarily better on one class of sounds only to find that 
he is worse on another class. His getting temporarily better 
may be explained from the fact that our latest impressions 
have the greatest influence over us. No influence of any 
kind is ever swallowed up and lost without producing its 

11 



effect. Every perception has its influence over our being. 
The power of old images may be destroyed by the appearance 
and growth of new ones of an entirely different nature. 

The stammerer today may have trouble on a particular 
word ; tomorrow he may find himself in a position where the 
use of that word is imperative, and the thought of it may 
cause to arise in his mind that peculiar feeling of dread and 
uneasiness. While in this condition, his mind reaches out in 
a thousand directions for a synonym — a word he will not 
stammer over. He may find the desired synonym, but on 
attempting to say it, being overwhelmed with mental 
emotion, he is likely to stammer. In this manner, he ex- 
periences a new and different sensation, perhaps, from any 
heretofore felt. This is of great significance. Each new 
impression enlarges upon the old and has much to do in 
coloring our lives. We are more nearly like our latest 
impressions. 

Evolution may cause the stammerer to have trouble on 
every sound in the language. 

Results of Stammering — There are few afflictions 
more embarrassing and humiliating than that of stammer- 
ing. Besides, the contortions of the body and the great 
effort put forth in the attempt to speak causes, in many 
instances, a physical strain that results in a complete 
wreckage of the nervous system. 

Many people, afflicted with this impediment, believe 
the difficulty to be the result of nervousness, and acting 
upon this belief , they place themselves under the treatment 
of physicians who prescribe medicines intended to act upon 
the nerves, or shoot electricity into the system to give it 
vigor. This invariably ends in disappointment. The 
truth of the matter is, nervousness is more likely to be a 
result of stammering than the cause. If you would cure the 
nervousness, you must remove the cause. 

Because of stammering many a child fails to develop the 
expressional side of his life. It prevents him from giving to 
others the best he has and getting from them their best in 
return. He is inclined to lead a recluse life and to shun all 
professions where fluency of speech is required. 

Few of us realize the influence that an everyday com- 
panion has over us, if the companion is looked upon as being 
the stronger intellectually and worthy of imitation. His 
thoughts, feelings, images, and desires are likely to become 
our own. 

Many a home is blighted more or less by having within 

12 



its midst one who stammers. Through love and sympathy, 
one member of the household is influenced by another, 
until all bear a share of the unfortunate one's burden. 
There is a fine thread of thought that runs through the minds 
of all and unites them in a bond of sympathy. 

In public school, the children may be divided into two 
broad classes, viz., those who are sorry for, and are ever in 
sympathy with, the stammerer; and those who take special 
delight in making light of the sufferer. The result may be 
equally hazardous, inasmuch as the former class may take 
on the trouble through sympathy ; the latter through mimicry. 

Because of these conditions, many an unfortunate sufferer 
becomes discouraged, quits school while young, and resolves 
that further education on his part is useless. He then holds 
himself aloof from society; becomes more or less consoled to 
his fate; abandons those duties and responsibilities in which 
fluent speech is required; leads a recluse life: In short, 
remains a blank so far as the making of life a success is 
concerned. 

Looking at the effects of this derangement from the 
standpoint of the future public, is it not reasonable to sup- 
pose that thousands of lives are yet to be made miserable, 
carrying grief and despondency into innumerable homes? 
All because of the influence of association, and most often 
through the direct agency of mimicry. Many a genius 
the world is yet likely to lose, because he is to have thrust 
upon him this unnatural, this abnormal condition. The 
question that naturally confronts us, then, is this: How 
many of those, who are seemingly doomed to the develop- 
ment of this disorder in the future, can be so educated and 
trained in the science of correct speaking, that perfect 
talkers may be made of what otherwise would have been 
stammerers? 

This can best be done through the co-operation of the 
home and the school. A child, favorably disposed to a 
development of an inherited sensation from whence stammer- 
ing springs, can be so guarded and guided from very early 
childhood, that stammering images would never appear. 
Children should not be placed under embarrassing con- 
ditions, neither should they be appealed to emotionally — 
these things are calculated to stimulate an abnormal growth 
of mind. 



13 



HOW TO STOP STAMMERING 



The Hatfield Method— Re-Education the Key 

It has been my ambition — my one great purpose — to make 
lighter the stammerer's burden. If a seed is planted — an 
idea firmly established in the mind, around which other ideas 
may cluster, — it will grow and develop into power. The 
greatest barrier between you who stammer and fluent 
speech — is you. You stand in your own way. The training 
of the psychic (mind) forces is a means to an end. The end — 
the goal of your efforts — is self control. If this is attained, 
fluent speech will follow as naturally as the flow of water 
down hill. 

Stammering is not cured merely by suggestion — by 
simply denying that you stammer. Hoping and waiting for 
a cure in some easy-going way is a waste of time. Neither 
are you cured by psycho-analysis, which is a method of 
questioning the patient with a view of recalling to the con- 
scious mind the precise incident, or experience to which he 
attributes his trouble. It is a fad among practitioners and 
physicians of the psychic school. It is claimed by the 
followers of this idea that the precise thing — the terrible 
fright, or whatever the cause may be — is recalled from the 
sub-conscious to the conscious mind, the trouble will mirac- 
ulously vanish. This is absurd. The truth of the matter 
is, as I have said elsewhere in this book, the impressions 
that develop into stammering are made upon the sub- 
conscious mind, but the incident leading to these impressions 
is often a conscious thing. In many cases, this particular 
incident in the life of the stammerer, to which he attributes 
his trouble, is ever with him. Being a conscious experience, 
it needs no recalling. I have had hundreds of stammerers to 
tell me of something to which they attributed their trouble, 
and they did so without any psycho-analysis. 

Re-education of the Will — Re-education along psychic 
lines gets results by scientific, systematic, rational mind 
training. It has to do with changing one's entire nature, so 
to speak. It covers a big field in which you are the master 
workman. 

We all have our weaknesses. We are often caught in their 
meshes and hurled to defeat. Study your own case. Dis- 

14 



cover your weak points. So re-educate yourself that your 
weakness will become your strength. If haste in speech is 
one of your weak points, let your mind constantly dwell on 
deliberation — the opposite force. According to the natural 
law of compensation, as you lose in haste and anxiety, 
you gain in composure and reflective power. The result 
will be the growth, in the central consciousness, of a re- 
flective force that is powerful enough to assimilate all sur- 
prises, shocks and disturbances. In short, you will become 
master of the situation before expression begins. To 
strengthen a mental force you must use that force. 

If your weakness is a high-pitched tone, go to work im- 
mediately on a low, musical tone. Read aloud much. 
Re-educate yourself here that your weakness may become 
your strength. Watch yourself when talking in conversa- 
tion and see to it that your tone is kept low and musical. 
After a while you will have changed your nature, so to speak 
— re-educated yourself in this particular. You will be for- 
getting the old and learning the new. 

It is a pleasure to work along correct, systematic lines. 
Fall in love with the work. If you were endeavoring to cure 
yourself by some unnatural, loathsome method, you could 
put little heart into the work. On the other hand, you will 
be working to master a "style of talking" that is admirable — 
it is a training that carries with it dignity and poise. 

I recall an experience with a former student of mine that 
will serve to illustrate my method of re-education as regards 
a low tone. He was one of a class of about fifteen whose 
progress was not, after having been in school one week, 
satisfactory. He was about thirty years of age. Was a 
vowel stammerer. Had a high-pitched voice. It was very 
difficult for him to effect a beginning, as his efforts were so 
great that often the glottis would be completely closed. I 
pointed out to him his weakness, and gave him an example 
of the tone he should master. It was very, very low (I 
mean the tone)., just above a whisper, with the basic "voice" 
freely flowing at all critical places in discourse. He went to 
work earnestly, yet not hastily or over anxiously. In a few 
days he was able to deliver interesting speeches before the 
class in a low, steady, positive tone. This began to establish 
confidence. He was in love with the work and his progress 
was rapid. He was undergoing a process of re-education. 
Fear, . dread, and external disturbances, which caused the 
contraction of his throat muscles and made him nervous, 

15 



quickly left him to return no more. Today he is a fluent, 
forceful speaker. 

In speaking in a low tone, you will have little difficulty in 
being heard, provided you enunciate distinctly. That is 
the important thing. Bring out the vowel element of the word 
clearly. This will enable the voice to carry well. See to it 
that the expression is perfectly natural at all times. 

" Speak clearly if you speak at all; 

Carve well each word before you let it fall." 

It is a mistake to think that a low-pitched voice is a sign 
of weakness and fear. The most forceful of speakers often 
use a firm, low tone. Someway, somehow, to me, it is as- 
sociated with power. Don't let people who speak harshly, 
loudly, disturb your composure — your equilibrium. Reflect 
on these lines from Longfellow's " Building of the Ship": 

"Fear not each sudden sound and shock, 
'Tis of the wave and not the rock; 
'Tis but a flapping of the sail, 
And not a rent made by the gale." 

If you are easily excited and embarrassed, psychic train- 
ing, at once, becomes a potent factor in nourishing the 
growth of the opposite force — the calm, reflective attitude. 
You can make little headway in mastering the calm attitude, 
if you continue to lose your temper and get angry in argu- 
ment. You must train yourself to assimilate disturbances. 
It not only weakens your argument the instant you become 
angry, but you reveal your weakness to your opponent who 
often takes advantage of it. Let the other fellow get 
excited, if he must, but you have the best of reasons for not 
doing so. The calm attitude produces a state of mind that 
is lofty and constructive. Concentrate your attention on 
peace and quietness. Why this embarrassment? Steel 
yourself against it. Be tranquil, be calm, be composed, 
and my word for it, you will not lack for one of the great 
factors found in a beautiful style of talking. Why should 
you not? It is nature's method. All people who talk well 
yield to it, or rather they fall in love with it, because of the 
freedom and comfort found therein. Why should not you 
who stammer do likewise? Why should you get frightened 
half to death on attempting to talk? Throw away the 
dread of stammering and talk as if you were alone. The very 
fact that most stammerers can talk well when alone is proof 

16 



enough of the advisability of extending that same influence 
into your conversation with people. 

Oh, how pleasant it is to talk with a person who is filled 
with a perfect serenity — a fixed joy of happiness. When 
thoughts are uttered mildly as soon as they gush up; when 
there is no strain on the vocal organs; when there is no 
ponderous weight of grief resting on the mind — then there 
is a pleasure in talking. Then it is that we come in close 
touch with people, getting the best there is in them, and 
giving of our best in return. 

Look out for flattery. Many people are trapped and 
embarrassed by this subtle agency. If you are given praise 
and you know you deserve it, accept it in a calm, quiet 
manner; if given unmeritoriously, be quick to detect the 
purpose and let it pass by unnoticed. There is nothing- 
like knowing one's self. Especially is it important to fully 
realize our weaknesses. Without such knowledge how is one 
to go to work intelligently and systematically to remedy 
his defects? 

The first great stride for the stammerer to take is to make 
up his mind to stop stammering. Proverbially speaking, 
this is half the battle. He should do this in downright 
earnestness, and then go about putting it into practice by 
himself, of himself, and through himself, individually. Our 
success depends largely upon our own efforts. We are, in a 
great measure, the architects of our own fortunes. 

When I see a man doing things for himself, I am convinced 
that that man will succeed, because a whole host of people 
are willing and really anxious to help a person, if that person 
is already getting on well. " Nothing succeeds like suc- 
cess." I would not for a minute tolerate the impossible. 
However, when we know of something of vast importance 
to us, and that can be accomplished by us, then it is time to 
act. It matters but little whether that something is agree- 
able or disagreeable to us. The thing to do is to make it 
agreeable. 

Professor Huxley says: "Perhaps the most valuable re- 
sult of all education is the ability to make yourself do the 
thing you have to do when it ought to be done, whether you 
like it or not; it is the first lesson which ought to be learned, 
and, however early a man's training begins, it is probably 
the last lesson he learns thoroughly." 

When we stop to think of it, it is no wonder that a man, 
who has no control of himself, stammers. Surely, then, 
this self-control is a cultivation which every stammerer 

17 



should strive for. Milton says: "He that reigns within 
himself and rules his passions, desires and fears is more than 
a king." 

"And the star of an unconquered will 
Arose in his breast, 
Serene, and resolute, and still, 

And calm and self-possessed." 
Be thou a hero; let thy might 

Tramp on eternal snows its way, 

And through the ebon walls of night, 

Hew down a passage unto day. 

— Park Benjamin. 

There is always room for a man of force. — Emerson. 

The king is the man who can. — Carlyle. 

A strong, defiant purpose is many-handed, and lays hold 
of whatever is near that can serve it ; it has a magnetic power 
that draws to itself whatever is kindred. — T. T. Munger. 

The trouble with a great many stammerers is, that their 
way of getting cured corresponds admirably with their style 
of talking. They want the cure to take place instantaneous- 
ly. Why not be more patient, and work slowly and steadily 
for results? If the work is gone into with this kind of 
spirit, wonders can be accomplished. How can we expect 
to overcome any defect or impediment, that has for years 
been so thoroughly ground into us as to become a part of 
us, save through the process of time and energy? Little 
by little we become stronger. By this process and this only 
are difficulties overcome and obstacles surmounted. 

"We have no wings, we cannot soar; 
But we can scale and climb 
By slow degrees, by more and more, 
The cloudy summits of our time. 

"Standing on what too long we bore, 

With shoulders bent and downcast eyes, 
We may discern, unseen before, 
A path of higher destinies. 

"Nor deem the irrevocable past 
As wholly wasted, wholly vain, 
If, rising on its wrecks, at last 
To something nobler we attain. " 

It is to be sincerely hoped that the stammerer may find 
consolation in the above lines. If he succeeds in building 

18 



on the wrecks of his past stammering phrases and sentences, 
a speech, unaffected, unfettered, isn't it worth while to be 
patient, perseverant, hopeful? Study the following quota- 
tion on the "Will." It is inspiring and will do you good. 

"There is no chance, no destiny, no fate 
Can circumvent, or hinder, or control 
The firm resolve of a determined soul. 
Gifts count for nothing; will alone is great; 
All things give way before it soon or late. 
What obstacles can stay the mighty force 
Of the sea-seeking river in its course, 
Or cause the ascending orb of day to wait? 
Each well-born soul must win what it deserves. 
Let the fool prate of luck. The fortunate 
Is he whose earnest purpose never swerves, 
Whose slightest action or inaction serves 
The one great aim." 

You Talk to Some People with Great Difficulty — to 
Others with Comparative Ease — Have you studied your 
own case? Have you drawn any psychological inferences 
from your study? Why do you talk with comparative ease 
to some people, while to others you can scarcely talk at all? 
You might answer that at times you are nervous. What 
makes you nervous, then, in the presence of some people? 
You are here face to face with a psychological truth. Ob- 
viously it is this: In the presence of some people, and at 
certain times, you become confused — the "will" loses con- 
trol of the nervous system — because of false fears and 
emotions. You are swept off your feet, so to speak. To 
use a slang expression, the other fellow "has your goat." 

Some writers claim that because the stammerer can talk 
with ease to some people, that whatever else he may need, 
he does not need to be taught how to talk. This is wrong 
reasoning. Evidently, if the stammerer needs anything, he 
certainly does need to be taught how to talk with people to 
whom he cannot talk. Right here is where countless systems 
and isms fall down. Re-education of the mental forces again 
asserts itself here. In what way? You probably think of 
some people as your superiors. You are awed in their pre- 
sence. It is true that they may know more than you do. 
What of it? Is that any reason why you should stand 
trembling with fear in their presence? Away with such 
thoughts. No wonder you can't talk under such conditions. 
Your method of thinking and acting is radically wrong. 

19 



Remember, that many of these seemingly unapproachable 
people are unsympathetic, cold, and haughty. If you look 
deeply into their "shells," you will find much bluff. Don't lose 
your head to please somebody else. Keep your poise. In 
these critical positions, be alert with the psychic forces that 
you can instantly summon to your aid. Be firm and steady 
under fire — speak in a low tone of voice. If the party doesn't 
hear you the first time, speak in a low tone again. Be 
stubborn enough to refuse to be rattled. Keep your enthu- 
siam and emotion well under the control of the "will" 
where they belong. If you are asked a question suddenly 
and it takes you by surprise, take time in forming the 
proper mental attitude before answering. It is the realm 
of prophylaxis (the prevention of a mental and physical 
attitude favorable to stammering) that psychic forces figure 
most conspicuously. The old saying, "An ounce of pre- 
ventive is worth a pound of cure," is bubbling over with 
truth. 

The more you think along these lines, the stronger becomes 
the "will" — the weaker becomes fear. As long as you are 
master of yourself, and with proper thinking and training, 
that is not an impossibility — you will not become confused, 
and your nervousness will disappear. 

Positiveness — Positiveness is a state of mind where one 
is not easily influenced against his wish. It is closely allied 
with the will. Positiveness is weakened by incorrect think- 
ing, just as it is strengthened by right thinking. To illus- 
trate: Suppose a child is embarrassed, and on attempting 
to talk, stammers. He begins to fear that he cannot utter 
certain sounds and words, under certain conditions. Then 
he substitutes, thereby avoiding immediate trouble. Un- 
consciously, he is nourishing the growth of dubious, indirect 
thoughts. He is developing out of proportion that element 
of the mind called phantasy, which finds expression in day- 
dreams and reveries. His mental confusion now mixes the 
real with the unreal. He is growing weak in positiveness. 

The remedy is in re-education. Analyze your case. 
Look sharply into the matter. What have you to fear? 
Mostly the humiliation of stammering in the presence of 
people. You prefer substitution or silence to that. Here 
again you are wrong. Even though you should stammer 
over a word, when it is necessary to talk, it is better to say 
it with difficulty than to shun the task. You will gain in 
positiveness by it. That isn't all. You are making a step 
toward erasing the image that is on the mind — the "word 

20 



picture" that is such a " bugaboo" to you. At these crucial 
times, keep the glottis open with a natural flow of basic 
voice. Speak your " bugaboo" words in a low tone, with 
light articulation, and at the same time be the possessor 
of a calm attitude. 

The essential thing in the development of positiveness is 
an inner quietness — an inner steadiness — an inner firmness. 
How? By proper thinking, and thinking at the proper time. 
It will enable you to develop, in the central consciousness, a 
reflective force of considerable power. This central thought 
unit is a magnet which will attract other forces and will 
become powerful enough, by and by, to assimilate all dis- 
turbances, both internal and external. In this manner, 
one learns to control and co-ordinate his emotions. 

Payot says: "In chemistry we learn that if one plunges 
a crystal into a solution in which several substances are 
held in saturation, the molecules of the same nature as those 
of the crystal, drawn together from the depths of the solu- 
tion by some mysterious attraction, will begin to group them- 
selves slowly around it. The crystals grow little by little, 
and if it is kept perfectly quiet for weeks or months, it will 
form those wonderful crystals whose size and beauty are the 
joy and pride of the laboratory. But if the solution be con- 
stantly jarred or disturbed, the deposit will be formed irregu- 
larly, the crystal will be imperfect and remain small. The 
same thing is true in psychology. If one keeps any phsyco- 
logical state whatever in the foreground of consciousness, it 
will insensibly, by an affinity no less mysterious than the 
other, gradually attract to itself other intellectual states of 
the same nature. If this condition is kept up for a long 
time, it will gather around it an organized group of forces 
of considerable power, and will acquire a decisive and almost 
absolute control of consciousness, silencing every other idea 
that is opposed to it." 

As you grow in inner strength, you are not likely to be 
influenced by external influences and forces. I have great 
admiration for the person who can say "no" in a quiet, 
firm manner to what he does not want to do, or to what he 
does not believe to be the proper thing for him to do. 

Worry is destructive; it tears down. Instead of saying, 
"I can't talk today without stammering," think with con- 
viction thusly: I can talk to anyone, at anytime, if I use my 
mind forces properly, and I will do that very thing. This 
kind of thinking has therapeutic value in eliminating worry 
and timidity. If you have made a mistake, the consequence 

21 



of which has been disastrous, face the music with positive 
thoughts in this manner: It is done; I should have known 
better. Why make matters worse by worrying? I will 
strengthen myself where I have been weak, and it shall not 
happen again. Re-educate yourself out of worrying by 
enforcing anti- worry mandates. See to it that these man- 
dates are obeyed. This method of thinking is founded on 
truth — it is in accordance with the natural laws of the mind. 

If you could only see yourself as you are when you are 
stammering — if a mirror were thrown in front of you — then 
you would see your rigid, tense, mental and physical atti- 
tude. You would recognize a lack of co-ordination and 
control. You would see reflected in your face fear as a 
result of inner tumult and disturbance. But why a mirror 
to see all this? You have a more powerful thing with which 
to see than a mirror — you have a mind. Train your mind 
to control inner feelings, impulses and emotions — then your 
rigidity and contortions will leave you to return no more. 

Non-resistance should, in no way, be separated from posi- 
tiveness. When you are in a non-resistant state, you rise 
above the obstacle to be encountered — you constructively 
use your energy. This quality will develop in you a strong, 
positive, forceful personality. 

Your "bugaboo" words are not conquered by active re- 
sistance. They are not to be met and dealt with in a pug- 
nacious, violent manner. This is not my idea of proper 
will-training. These imaginary troubles are put to flight 
the moment you rise, in a reflective manner, above them — 
the instant you become self master to the extent as not to 
be frightened and terrorized by them. 

Do you assume a fighting attitude, when some one starts 
" kidding" you? If so, your method of thinking needs to be 
changed, and with a change in your method of thinking and 
acting, comes a change in your feelings and emotions. 
Quietly let the "kidder" proceed. Do not resist in the 
attack; it isn't worth it. Rise above it. He will soon kill 
himself. He will be like the man who was telephoning to 
a butcher, when he said: "You needn't send me any more 
beef, I've just butchered myself." Watch for your chance 
to say the right thing at the right time, and do it in a quiet, 
restful, positive manner. 

Resistance nourishes the growth of hate, revenge, jealousy, 
and doubt. It has no survival value. On the other hand, 
non-resistance nourishes the growth of courtesy, fearless- 

22 



ness, positiveness, deliberation, good-will, and right-in- 
tent. It has survival value. It is a nice thing to know that 
you are the possessor of a great inner power, and at the same 
time have no desire to use that power in a domineering, 
selfish manner. 

Labor, then, unceasingly, for inner calmness — strive dili- 
gently to control your enthusiasm — keep a check constantly 
on a forced utterance. Let me reiterate: Build to that 
which will survive. 

Self-consciousness — We create a self-conscious con- 
dition when we constantly think we are being observed by 
others. At first, this condition may be mere bashfulness. 
If not checked, extreme sensitiveness and self-consciousness 
may be the result. It is a condition which permits one's 
mind frequently to dwell on his own faults — his own short- 
comings. 

This mental condition is fundamentally entwined with, 
and psychically related to, all forms of speech impediments. 
If the stammerer is spoken to when busy and he answers in 
an absent-minded manner, he would not, as a rule, stammer. 
Why? He does not have time to become self-conscious. 
Again, if he is spoken to in such a manner that no reply is 
expected — should he speak then — the chances are he would 
not stammer. Why? No importance is attached to the 
reply, and he is not the center of attraction. But, should 
someone ask him a point-blank, direct question, and were 
many eyes directed toward him — then he would be very 
likely to stammer. Why? Self-consciousness, accompanied 
by confusion, panic and fear, has taken possession of him. 

Evidently, then, the question that is uppermost in your 
mind is, "How can I get rid of self-consciousness?" What I 
have said in the preceding pages will go far towards banish- 
ing self-consciousness and timidity from the mind. The 
key to this is, supplant abnormal conditions with natural ones. 
Study the art of being free, easy, and unaffected in all your 
actions, both mental and physical. 

There isn't so much harm in the consciousness that others 
are observing you, after all. It is the panic-like con- 
fusion that results from your fear — from the idea that you 
have shortcomings and misgivings. These things are often 
magnified out of all proportion. It is impossible to get rid 
of the idea that you are, at times, observed by others. But 
it is possible to develop a state of mind that cannot be 
frightened, confused, intimidated by this same observation. 
That strikes at the root of the trouble and paves the way for 

23 



work. In supplanting abnormal conditions with natural 
ones, follow the path of re-education. 

Be joyous, contented, deliberate, and steady, when in 
critical positions. Instead of forever thinking of your 
shortcomings and misgivings, think the thoughts of equality. 
That is the way to develop fearlessness. Never admit that 
you cannot perform a simple task — that you are a failure. 
We all have our strong points along with the weak ones. 
You may expect to have trouble in gaining complete con- 
trol of yourself. Don't let that deter you. Keep on fight- 
ing along survival lines. Success will eventually be yours. 
The world is bound to make a place for the man who abso- 
lutely refuses to be beaten. There is much, very much hope 
for the man who has faith in himself. You are never a 
failure until you admit it yourself. 

Harmony — Harmony has a survival value, therefore it 
is an acquisition worth while. Discord has no survival 
value; it is of a perishable nature. A nice effect is produced 
when you are in harmony with yourself, everyone, and 
everything. It is great to enjoy living. 

Have you an optimistic spirit? Minimize the weight of 
your burdens and troubles by this magic, care-free force. 
Misfortunes and sorrows come to us all. Many of them are 
unavoidable. They can have little effect on us, however, if 
we meet them cheerfully. This kind of spirit nourishes the 
growth of inner music — inner harmony — that will, in time, 
react on our health and character. When things break 
right, it is easy enough to have optimistic thoughts; but it 
is when things go wrong, that you have the greatest op- 
portunity for character building — a splendid opportunity for 
turning discord into music. Here again is a big field for 
work. Let re-education come to your rescue. 

I must again refer to a low tone. It is a "hobby" of mine. 
Conscientious labor here gives capital results. The low, 
musical tone has a tendency to quiet those who are hasty 
and impetuous — to put to flight the "bluffer" — to banish 
fear and dread by rising above them — to gain strength by 
non-resistance. My friends — you who stammer and stutter 
—do you get the spirit of what I am trying to say? I should 
like very much to make my meaning clearer, but it is a dif- 
ficult matter to put it into written form. Indeed, there is 
much bearing on the treatment of stammering that cannot 
be written. The personal influence of a teacher who under- 
stands his business is of inestimable value. 

24 



What would be nicer than to work to acquire harmony in 
your speech? In a hundred years of schooling, you might not 
learn anything that would be of greater service and comfort 
to you. It develops agreeableness of personality; it will aid 
you in making friends and keeping them; it will improve 
your health and increase your happiness. Being in harmony 
with your surroundings means a great deal — a very great 
deal — to your future success. Harmony of speech is within 
your reach. 

Between you and fluent, unfettered speech, there may be a 
forest of troubles — timidity, self-consciousness, discord, un- 
controlled enthusiasm — but by persistent, intelligent work 
you can make a beaten path to your goal. Again I say it is 
within your reach. What, a difficult task? Yes, but just 
think of the fun you will have in your work — think of the 
survival knowledge you will gain — think of the success that 
awaits you. 

Away with thoughts of despair. Fill your mind with 
the music of labor. Stammering is discord. Let harmony 
and music help to crowd it out. 

Resting — In our public schools, there is great need for 
teaching nervous, restless, fidgety children how to rest. 
Observe the child who stammers waiting his turn to read or 
recite. (Perhaps, many teachers are not in the habit of 
observing, though.) Anyway, see his confused, restless 
attitude. Maybe he is glancing ahead to see if any of his 
" bugaboo" words will appear, and wondering how he will 
be able to utter them; or, perhaps, he is trying to invent 
some scheme to shun them. He dreads the ordeal that con- 
fronts him. He is filled with emotion. He is worked up to 
the tip-top notch of excitement. He is working when he 
should be resting. No wonder he is nervous when called on 
to recite — no wonder he is confused- — no wonder he stammers. 

I am registering a plea for rest. Not merely being quiet 
and doing nothing at certain periods. That is good as far as 
it goes, but it doesn't go far enough. I mean resting while 
working. That is to say, doing your talking — your ex- 
plaining — with as little mental and physical effort as possi- 
ble, without muscular tension. 

The child should be taught to control and co-ordinate 
his feelings and emotions. A very effective way to do this 
is to have him discuss interesting topics as if they were 
common, everyday affairs. He should be taught to guard 
himself. This requires much patience on the part of the 
teacher. Again it involves the principle of proper thinking, 

25 



and thinking at the proper time. He should be taught 
to assume an easy, restful, fearless attitude. When he 
begins to wax too enthusiastic, he should be taught to instant- 
ly give his enthusiasm a rest ; that is to say, to talk with less 
vehemence and energy — not to treat his subject matter so 
seriously. In this manner, real work — constructive work — 
educational work — can be made restful. Energy is too 
valuable an asset to uselessly throw away. 

Breathing and Grouping — The proper development of 
the organs and muscles of breathing, and the correct use of 
breath in the production of tone, are very essential con- 
ditions to success in mastering the science and art of talking. 

Breath is the source of power. It is the " lumber yard" 
of the orator — the rough material out of which speech is 
manufactured. It is not so much the amount of breath that 
is so essential, as the manner in which it is produced and con- 
trolled. 

As a rule, the stammerer seems to have a sufficient quanti- 
ty of breath, but instead of controlling its escape, uses all 
he has on one word, and then attempts to talk on exhausted 
breath. At times he even attempts to talk on ingoing breath, 
which is a physical impossibility. When one is stam- 
mering over a word, the diaphragm is contracted and the 
glottis closed, thereby preventing the natural escape of 
breath. Evidently, then, this abnormal condition must be 
supplanted with the natural one. 

I suggest deep, rhythmic breathing. It should be develop- 
ed, made practical, until it becomes naturally and permanent- 
ly fixed. This kind of breathing deepens the tone, thereby 
throwing much of the strain in talking away from the glottis 
and throat muscles. See to it that the diaphragmatic muscle 
is constantly being expanded. Always talk on outgoing, not 
ingoing air. 

What is known as time (not time-beating) in reading or 
talking is greatly influenced by grouping. Good readers or 
talkers intuitively divide their sentences into groups, or 
thought units. Grouping is in no way artificial; it is natural. 
The thought determines what words are to be grouped. 
Punctuation is of some assistance, because these marks 
generally point off thought units. Notice how naturally 
these sentences are divided into groups, or thought units: 
"At the present day — the value of the cat — as a useful and 
pleasant inmate of the home — is generally recognized." 
"The star of Napoleon — was just reaching its zenith — as that 
of Washington — was beginning to wane." 

26 



Read the following which I have pointed off into thought 
units. 

Lincoln's Gettysburg Speech — Four score and seven 
years ago — our fathers brought forth upon this continent — 
a new nation, — conceived in liberty, — and dedicated to the 
proposition — that all men are created equal. — Now we are 
engaged in a great civil war, — testing whether that nation, — 
or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, — can long 
endure. — We are met on a great battle field of that war. — 
We have come to dedicate a portion of that field — as a 
final resting place for those — who here gave their lives — that 
that nation might live. — It is altogether fitting and proper 
that we should do this. — But in a larger sense, — we cannot 
dedicate, — we cannot consecrate, — we cannot hallow this 
ground. — The brave men, — living and dead, — who struggled 
here, — have consecrated it far above our power to add or 
detract. — The world will little note, — nor long remember 
what we say here, — but it can never forget what they did 
here. — It is for us, the living, — rather to be dedicated here — 
to the unfinished work — which they who fought here — have 
thus far so nobly advanced. — It is rather for us to be here 
dedicated — to the great task remaining before us, — that 
from these honored dead — we take increased devotion to 
that cause — for which they gave the last full measure of 
devotion; — that we here highly resolve — that these dead 
shall not have died in vain; — that this nation — under God — 
shall have a new birth of freedom, — and that government of 
the people, — by the people, — and for the people, — shall not 
perish from the earth. 

Basic Voice Element — The Primary Scientific Attack. 
The stammerer's primary " danger zone" is the spas- 
modic contraction of the glottis. This shuts off both breath 
and voice. This condition is often so abnormally developed 
as to cause the stammerer to try to produce voice at the 
lips, against the hard palate — at places where it cannot be 
produced. Voice is formed by outgoing breath, setting in 
vibration the chords of the larynx — -the glottis. After deep, 
rhythmic breathing is thoroughly mastered, one should have 
no difficulty in forming voice, if it is attempted in a natural 
way. 

The basic voice for the stammerer, then, should be no 
particular vowel — merely a comfortable, natural sound of 
the basic element of voice. It should be so woven through 
the sentence as to give dignity and poise to one's discourse. 
It gives a musical charm to one's conversation. This is a 

27 



difficult agency to master rightly, and those, who have the 
services of an expert teacher, are indeed fortunate. 

This, then, is the stammerer's primary attack. Its pur- 
pose is to keep the glottis open at crucial moments — at times 
when the mind is seized with an emotion that tends to cause 
muscular tension and contraction. 

I am not advocating what is known as " continuity, " 
or running one syllable into another in a monotone, which 
is merely another name for sing-songing. That is quite 
impractical and hinders good expression. I would not teach 
such a " style of talking" as dividing words into syllables. 
Instead of banishing self-consciousness, that would, in my 
opinion, tend to augment it. 

The basic voice, then, should be employed to effect 
difficult beginnings, and along through the sentence in such 
a manner as to develop a deliberate, reflective style. If it 
is to be a constructive agency, it must be natural. 

When the basic voice is properly mastered and when 
combined with the scientific formation of consonant sounds, 
which is the stammerer's secondary attack, you have at 
your disposal a mighty factor with which to "kill the fear 
of stammering." When you have developed forces that 
strengthen your confidence to the extent that you can 
talk to anyone, anytime — then " bugaboo" words will cease 
to terrorize you. Just as superstition is destroyed by 
understanding) in like manner, fear is killed by re-education. 

Stammering on vowels is manifested by a contraction 
of the glottis — a drawing of the vocal cords too tightly. 
This prevents the voice from escaping. Vowels require 
an open passage for the voice; they are pure tones. A,E, 
I, 0, U are vowel sounds. W, Y and H are treated as 
vowels when followed by a vowel, as in "well," "yet," 
"home." The purpose of the basic voice, or primary 
attack, is to keep the glottis open. Hence, one should have 
little or no difficulty in co-ordinating the basic sound with 
any particular vowel. 

Another potent factor in mastering the spasmodic con- 
traction of the glottis is a low-pitched tone. This, alone, 
will often suffice in correcting the trouble. Few stam- 
merers, it seems, realize the great advantage to be gained 
by the use of a deep, smooth, agreeable tone. This kind 
of tone is best acquired by the exercise of the diaphragm- 
atic muscle. Whenever the voice breaks into a rough, 
aspirated, throaty, or other disagreeable quality, stop at 
once; then let go the muscles of the throat, drop the jaw, 

28 



let the tongue lie flat and perfectly relaxed; take a deep, 
comfortable, rhythmic breath and begin again. By letting 
much of the effort in talking come from the waist, the 
stammerer has more time in which to shape his breath 
into voice and articulate speech, and the tendency to close 
the glottis will gradually disappear. He will, hereby, 
foster the growth of a " style of talking" that is character- 
ized by strength, and, above all, it will be musical and har- 
monious to the ear. 

Consonant Formation — The Secondary Scientific Attack. 

— The basic voice, or primary attack, often renders un- 
necessary the secondary attack. On the other hand, many 
are able to produce voice with great ease, only to find 
themselves blocked on consonants. However, the treatise 
on consonants is in conjunction with basic voice; that is to 
say, the first link should not be broken. Let the natural 
voice flow into the beginning of the consonant. This is of 
fundamental importance and should not be overlooked. 

In mastering the utterance of the following sounds, keep 
in mind this principle: Talk away from the position, not 
towards it. That is to say, don't attempt to say the word 
before you are able to correctly form the initial sound or 
sounds. 

I shall take up each sound separately. Each consonant 
is treated with relation to the vowel that follows it. 

M. 

Stammering on words beginning with the sound "m" 
is manifested by compressed lips. Contrary to this the 
position should be taken lightly. In forming the sound "m " 
the lips should be brought into light and easy contact with 
each other, held in that position a moment, during which 
time the voice is prevented from passing out at the mouth, 
but is sent through the nose in the form of a nasal murmur. 
This begins the sound. Quickly and gently separate the 
lips and it is complete. 

Exercises for practice: 

Many men of many minds. 

Many birds of many kinds. 

Maxwell Manning met a mutinous mountaineer. 

The miserable mule moves mournfully. 

The nimble monkey mixes the melons. 

Money may make much misery. 

29 



p. 

Stammering on words beginning with the sound a p" is 
manifested by a compressed position of the lips, preventing 
the escape of breath. Contrary to this rigid, unnatural 
position, a whispered utterance should be used. In forming 
this sound, the lips should be brought into light and easy con- 
tact with each other, held in that position a moment, during 
which time the breath is entirely obstructed behind the lips. 
Quickly separate the lips with a slight puffing sound and it 
is complete. You cannot attack the sound too lightly. 

Exercises for practice. 

The parson prays for peace. 

Professor Punch and Pauline Polk performed the patagonia 
poker perfectly. 

Her pretty, pouting lips were puckered by purple per- 
simmons. 

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. 

B. 

Stammering on words beginning with the sound "b" is 
manifested by compressed lips in the same manner as the 
sound "p", with the addition of sub-voice. Use light artic- 
ulation. 

Exercise for practice: 

" Bobby, Bobby, shut the shutter," 

Bobby, in confusion utter, 

Did not hesitate nor stutter, 

But was only heard to utter, 

"I can't shut it any shutter." 

Brother Ben boldly beat, battered, and bruised the 
British with his bludgeon. 

Bees build beautiful abodes. 

A black boot-black broke a blank book-back. 

F. 

Stammering on words beginning with the sound "f" is 
manifested by pressing the lower lip too firmly against the 
upper teeth. Contrary to this, the lower lip should be 
brought into light and easy contact with the upper teeth, 
held in that position a moment, allowing the breath to pass 
through the crevices between the teeth. This begins the 
sound. Quickly drop the lower lip and the sound is com- 
plete. Take the position lightly. 

Exercises for practice: 

30 



Ferdinand Firebrand fiercely fought a funny and fidgety 
fiddler. 

Finny fishes furnish fine food. 

Fun and frivolity follow foolish fancies. 

French fried fritters fill folks full. 

V. 

Words beginning with the sound "v" are formed in the 
same manner as those beginning with "f ", with the addition 
of sub-voice. 

Exercises for practice: 

His voice revived the vile villain. 

The valiant victor saved the bereaved lover. 

Valentine Vortex victoriously vanquished a vindictive 
villager. 

TH. 

Stammering on words beginning with "th" (as in thought) 
is manifested by the tongue coming in forceful contact with 
the lower edge of the upper teeth. In forming this sound, 
the tongue should be placed in light and easy contact with 
the lower edge of the upper teeth, held in that position a 
moment, allowing breath to pass through the crevices 
between the teeth. This begins the sound. Quickly with- 
draw the tongue and it is complete. The sound is formed 
by the separation, not by the contact of the organs. 

Exercises for practice: 

Thousands of thrifty thrushes thronged through the 
thicket. 

Theocratus Theophilus, the unsuccessful thistle sifter, in 
sifting three sieves of unsifted thistles, thrust three thousands 
thistles through the thick of his thumb. 

TH (as in thee). 

"Th" (as in thee) is uttered in the same manner as "th" 
(as in thought), with the addition of sub-voice. 

T. 

Stammering on words beginning with the sound "t" is 
manifested by the wedged position of the tongue against 
the hard palate, just behind the upper teeth. In contrast to 
this, the tongue should be brought into light and easy con- 
tact against the hard palate, held in that position a moment, 
during which time the breath is entirely obstructed behind 
the tongue. Quickly draw the tongue to its natural posi- 
tion, with a slight explosive whisper, and the sound is com- 
plete. 

31 



The sound "d" is formed in the same manner as "t", 
with the addition of the sub-voice. 

Exercises for practice: 

Two toads, totally tired, tried to trot to Tedbury. Tala- 
mand Talkative told tremendous, terrible, terrific, tragic 
tales. 

Tommy thought " Twice told Tales" thrilling throughout. 

Tony took Timmins to the theater. 

Deborah Diligent danced delightfully with a dull, droll, 
and dextrous drummer. 

Don't add decided deceit to dreamy deductions. 

Daniel did his duty diligently. 

S. 

In forming the sound "s" the tongue takes practically 
the same position that it does for " t ". In " t " the tongue is 
entirely obstructed by the breath, while in "s" there is a 
small opening over the tip of the tongue, through which the 
breath passes with a hissing sound. This begins the sound 
"s". Quickly drop the tongue and lower jaw and it is 
complete. 

"Z" is formed in the same manner as "s", with the addi- 
tion of sub-voice. 

Exercises for practice: 

Susan shineth shoes and socks; socks and shoes shineth 
Susan. She ceaseth shining shoes and socks, for socks and 
shoes shock Susan. 

She sells sea-shells, shunning society with the shells she 
sells. 

Sophia Scribble well was superlatively and surprisingly 
sentimental. 

Six long, sleek, slender saplings. 

Zedka Zigzay was a zealous zoological zoophite in the 
frozen zone. 

SH. 

In forming the sound of "sh, " the tongue takes a position 
a little back of that for "s", with the tip turned backward 
and pointing down the throat. The breath passes over the 
flattened surface of the tongue, between it and the roof 
of the mouth. This begins the sound. Quickly drop the 
tongue to its natural position and the sound is complete. 

Exercises for practice: 

The shape of the ship shows shrewdness. 

They shook the shrieking shrew sharply. 

Shall she wish sugar and shun mush? 

32 



Soft, shimmering sunshine and shifting showers shed 
softer shades over suburban shrubbery. 
Sunshine should seldom be shunned. 

C (hard) or K 

Stammering is manifested in uttering words beginning 
with the sound "k" by a blockage of the breath back in the 
mouth. In forming this sound, the back of the tongue rises 
up against the soft palate, where it is held for a moment, 
during which time the breath is entirely obstructed. Gently 
drop the tongue to its normal position in the bed of the 
mouth, form a slight, explosive whisper, and the sound is 
complete. Use very little effort in forming this sound. 

U G" is formed in the same manner as u k", with the 
addition of sub-voice. 

Exercises for practice: 

This key can conquer creaking locks. 

The cat drank and crept away. 

The old, cold scold sold a school coal-scuttle. 

Columbus Capricorn was cross, crabbed, crooked, car- 
buncled, and crusty. 

He grinned, gurgled, and grasped his goggles. 

Gregory Gobbler gaped and gabbled like a goose and 
gander. 

Gertrude giggled and gasped. 

CH. 

The sound u ch" is a combination of "t" and "sh" and is 
a breath production. The tongue takes the position for " t " 
and glides into that for u sh", from which it is withdrawn in 
the same manner as for "sh. " Take the position lightly 
with a whispered utterance. 

Exercises for practice: 

Chums cherish each other. 

Chiggers chew the children's chief champion. 

The cheerful child chatters much. 

J. 

The sound of "j" is a combination of the sounds "d" and 
"gh" and is a voice production. The tongue takes the 
position for "d" and glides into that for "gh" from which 
it is withdrawn in the same manner. 
Exercises for practice. 

George Jones jeers the gypsies. 

James gently suggests a journey. 

33 



A large major un joints a fragile gymnast. 

Jemima Juniper with joy did jump a jig in jeopardy. 

L. 

Stammering on the words beginning with the sound "1" is 
manifested by a wedged position of the tongue against the 
hard palate. In forming this sound, the tip of the tongue 
takes the same position as for "t," lightly touching the 
hard palate, held in that position a moment, allowing the 
voice to flow over the sides of the tongue. This begins the 
sound. Quickly drop the tongue to its normal position and 
it is complete. Be careful to let the tongue merely touch 
the hard palate. 

Exercises for practice: 

A luminous, literary lecture relating to the latent learning 
of the latest literature. 

Lem Lawless was a loudly laughing, lounging, long, lean, 
lank, lazy loafer. 

All listen to the liquid melody. 

Large bells excell in loudness. 

Laughter lasts longer than melancholy. 

R. 

Stammering on words beginning with the sound "r" is 
manifested by failure to open the mouth after the sound 
has been formed. In forming "r, " the tip of the tongue 
points upward but does not touch the roof of the mouth. 
The voice should flow over the tip of the tongue, vibrating 
it. This completes the sound. Open the mouth gently 
but rather suddenly, and the utterance is effective. 

Exercises for practice: 

Round the rough and ragged rocks the ragged rascals 
rudely ran. 

Roderick Random ran a ridiculous race od the Rich- 
mond railroad. 

Her remarks were ready and reproachful. 

The roar receded as it rapidly retired. 

He hurries to resist the ravenous rascals. 

Rural rulers rarely revel in rural rudeness. 

N. 
Stammering on words beginning with the sound "n" is 
manifested in much the same manner as for "1. " In form- 
ing the sound "n," the tip of the tongue should be placed in 
light and easy contact with the hard palate, just back of the 

34 



upper teeth. The voice is sent out through the nose in the 
form of a nasal murmur. This begins the sound. Quickly 
drop the tongue and it is complete. Take the position as 
lightly as for "1." 

Exercises for practice. 

Nancy Nimble, with a nice new needle, netted neat nets. 

Names mean nothing if not noted. 

Nine nuns began normal work. 

WH. 

In forming the sound "wh, " the lips are brought into 
position for a whistle. Quickly draw the lips back and the 
sound is complete. 

Exercises for practice: 

Why are the wheels whirling? Would you whistle, whine, 
or whisper? Which is worse, whining or whimpering? A 
whack made his head whirl. Wherefore while away so 
much time? 

Emphasis and Reflection. — Many stammerers have 
asked me the question, "Why is it at times I can speak 
certain words with ease, and at other times am unable to 
speak these same words at all?" A study of emphasis will, 
in part, help to make this clear. The emphatic word — the 
important word of a phrase or sentence — is the word that 
carries with it the greatest enthusiasm and emotion. It 
is here that our weakness in controlling and co-ordinating 
the emotions is clearly manifested. Note these sentences: 

(a) John has a teacher. 

(b) He loves his teacher. 

(c) He has a, book, too. 

(d) It is a new book. 

In the first sentence, there may be three ideas expressed 
by the words "John," "has," and "teacher." A sentence 
must be read with its relation to what precedes and follows it. 
If the main idea in the first sentence is "teacher," then in 
the second sentence the emphatic word is "love". If the 
stammerer is likely to have trouble on tongue sounds, then 
in the first sentence the word ' ' teacher ' ' might be a " bugaboo ' ' 
for him, but in the second sentence the word "teacher" is 
of minor importance and would not likely cause him trouble. 

A stammerer should be trained to utter his emphatic 
words with as little effort as possible, and at the same time 
keep the expression good by proper inflection and modulation. 
A word may be given proper emphasis by inflection, even 
though it be uttered in a whisper. It is not the force 

35 



one puts behind words that enables him to speak charmingly 
and expressively, but the manner in which these words are 
inflected. As a rule, in inflecting emphatic words, the voice 
should rise and fall, by a gentle slide, about an equal distance 
above and below the fundamental key note used in the 
phrase or sentence. 

A sentence can be written or spoken in musical form as 
well as a song or any other musical composition, the chief 
difference being this: In the melody of song everything is 
arbitrary, or bound by rules; in the melody of speech every- 
thing is voluntary. That is to say, when you sing a song 
you must sing the notes as they are written on the staff. 
In reading or talking you make your own music. 

The attainment of a pleasing variety of intonation calls 
for two prime requisites; first, a well modulated voice, which 
renders all speech agreeable; second, inflection, which renders 
all speech effective and intelligent. The current melody 
of a sentence should not be subject to rules. The ear 
must be trained to a just appreciation of musical intonations. 

Maxim: " Never criticise a man's reading or speaking 
unless you can suggest a better method, and can outline a 
course of training that will lead to that end." 

Below are a number of sentences that ought to be helpful 
in practicing the art of inflection : 

(a) "Some man will say, 'How are the dead raised up 
and with what body do they come?' " 

(b) "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them who are 

lost." 

(c) " For as many as are led by the spirit of God, they are 
the sons of God." 

(d) "0 death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy 
victory?" 

(e) "Words pass away but actions still remain." 

(f) "Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can. " 

(g) "His house was known to all the vagrant train: 
He chid their wanderings, but relieved their pain; 
The long-remembered beggar was his guest, 
Whose beard, descending, swept his aged breast." 

(h) "I love you more than word can wield the matter, 
Dearer than eyesight, space and liberty; 
A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable." 
(i) "The great man is he who does not lose his child's 
heart. 

36 



(j) "My boy, the first thing you want to learn, if you 
haven't learned to do it already, is to tell the truth. The 
pure, sweet, refreshing, wholesome truth. For one thing it will 
save you so much trouble. Oh, heaps of trouble. And no 
end of hard work. And a terrible strain upon your memory. 
Sometimes, and when I say sometimes I mean a great many 
times, it is hard to tell the truth the first time. But when 
you have told it there is an end of it. You have won the 
victory; the fight is over. Next time you tell the truth you 
can tell it without thinking. You don't have to stop and 
wonder how you told it yesterday. You won't have to stop 
and look around and see who is there before you begin telling 
it. And you won't have to invent a lot of new lies to re- 
inforce the old ones. After Ananias told a lie his wife had 
to tell another just like it. You see if you tell lies you are 
apt to get your whole family into trouble." 

(k) Keep your Eye on the Ball. 

" When I was a boy I learned in playing baseball and tennis, 
to keep my eye on the ball. When I went to college and got 
my first exhilarating taste of football, the coach taught us to 
keep our eyes on the ball. And when I caught the golf fever 
it was like meeting an old friend when the English expert 
who was teaching me, said, 'Keep your eye on the ball.' 

Many people are failures because they keep their eyes on 
themselves. One great thing about athletics is that self is 
forgotten for the time. Whatever you are doing bend 
earnestly to the task. If you are telling a story, think about 
the story, and not how you are telling it. Self-conscious 
talking becomes stammering. Many a good recitation has 
been spoiled because the speaker has been thinking about 
his hair or his necktie, his voice or gestures. The preacher 
who put in his sermon 'gesture here,' Veep here,' must 
have amused rather than edified his hearers. One of the 
secrets of success is Dr. Edward E. Hale's maxim, 'Look out, 
not in. 1 

But how can we keep our eyes on the ball? How avoid 
looking in? For many, going to college cures self-conscious- 
ness. The petty vanities, the narrowing conceits, are 
mercilessly held up to ridicule; and the morbid, dreamy 
existence of the romance-fed girl vanishes in the busy, matter- 
of-fact life of the college halls. 

Style and fashion are wonderful aids to self -consciousness. 
Therefore avoid modishness. Do not dress in the newest fad. 
Shun the 'latest wrinkle' in hats, belts, ties, and gloves. Be 

37 



neat, but plain. Array yourself so as to attract the least 
attention. Do not be flattered when people are constantly 
referring to your clothes. It is certain that the real 'you' is 
smothered beneath yards of ribbon and cloth. What you 
wear ought never to be taken for what you are. 

Refuse to be constantly measuring yourself beside others 
in looks, speech, dress, or abilities. If someone outshines you, 
keep sweet and calm in the serene consciousness that you 
have done your best. The habit of comparing ourselves with 
others always creates discontent and sometimes sours the 
whole of life. 

Let us keep our eyes off ourselves as far as possible. Keep 
them on the ball, and our best self will rise unconsciously to 
make the stroke strong and true." 

Self-Confidence — The Crowning Result — The pur- 
pose, which I have kept steadily in mind in this outlined 
course of training, has been the growth of self-confidence. 
This should be the crowning result of your labor. 

A man can be too confiding in others, but never too con- 
fident in himself. 

Progress along any line of work is sure never to be made, 
until the individual is fully persuaded that he is able — has 
the latent power — to make such progress. When one begins 
to believe in himself, great changes in that one's nature are 
soon likely to be made. Such a faith is a great stimulus to 
the "will." It is very hard, indeed, for one to act, if he be 
too modest, too timid, too fearful of results. The man, who 
most astonishes the world by the doing of great things, is 
the man who believes in his own ability, and then follows 
this belief up by prompt action. The following paragraph 
from Walt Mason is both amusing and suggestive. 

"I am too sensitive, I fear, to win a salesman's laurels 
here. If someone batters me with chairs, or kicks me down 
a flight of stairs, I feel depressed, discouraged, tired; I 
think my absence is desired. Whereas the salesman who 
would win should pick his bones up with a grin, dust off his 
clothes, replace his hat, reset his broken arm or slat and, 
climb that blooming stair again, to sell his junk to angry 
men. He doesn't care for a rebuff; the salesman's made of 
sterner stuff. I often marvel at his gall, when he shins o'er 
my garden wall, and nails me in me leafy haunt, to sell me 
truck I do not want. In forty lingoes I've explained, until 
my lexicon is strained, that I won't blow a measly plunk for 
any item of his junk. But nothing, nothing I can say will 

38 



drive that earnest gent away, and not a dornick I can throw 
will serve to make that salesman go. If I should throttle 
him to death he'd sell me with his dying breath some stuff 
to put in gasoline and keep my motor running clean. " 

Too many are apt to give much time and energy to the 
idea of not being quite ready; they have a kind of " dread- 
belief " in themselves when the time comes to act. Why not 
work along the line of least resistance? If carrying within 
us a " dread-belief " in our ability to talk proves to be an 
impeder, why not, through a course of scientific training, 
replace it by something that will help along? There is no 
question, in my mind, that that something is self-confidence. 

Evidently, then, this self-confidence — this self-sufficiency 
— is the crowning fundamental essential to good talking. 
The stammerer cannot begin too soon to grow in this di- 
rection. The man, who is in possession of this power, is 
the man who rises above his surroundings, and becomes 
greater than his environment. 

Men and women everywhere admire the stern, determined 
doer. The man, who is in the habit of overcoming dif- 
ficulties and surmounting obstacles, will always be given a 
way. People can't help but stand back and make room for 
him, because a determined man will make a way. "It is 
wonderful how even the apparent casualties of life seem to 
bow to a determined spirit that will not bow to them, and 
yield to assist a design after having in vain attempted to 
frustrate it. ' 

Show me a person lowered in his own estimation, and I'll 
show you one lowered in the estimation of someone else; 
but show me a person who believes in his own ability, and 
I'll show you one in whom somebody else has confidence. 
This much is certain, we will never be valued higher than we 
value ourselves. 

I know of nothing that will so stimulate the stammerer to 
action and that will give him no peace of mind until the 
object of his ambition is attained, as to feel and know that 
there lies within him a latent power which, if cultivated and 
brought out, would enable him to overcome his impediment. 
The one great hope of the stammerer is, that some day he 
will enjoy the pleasure of unfettered speech. The one big 
mistake made by so many is that they put off the proper 
kind of training — training along thoroughly natural lines — 
much too long. 

39 



Opportunity 

To each man's life there comes a time supreme; 
One day, one night, one morning, or one noon, 
One freighted hour, one moment opportune, 

One rift through which sublime fulfillments gleam, 

One space when fate goes tiding with the stream, 

One Once, in balance 'twixt Too Late, Too Soon, 
And ready for the passing instant's boon 

To tip in favor the uncertain beam. 

Ah, happy he who, knowing how to wait, 

Knows also how to watch and work and stand 
On life's broad deck alert, and at the prow 

To seize the passing moment, big with fate, 
From opportunity's extended hand, 
When the great clock of destiny strikes Now! 

— Mary A. Townsend. 



Opportunity 

'In harvest time, when fields and woods 

Outdazzle sunset's glow, 
And scythes clang music through the land, 
It is too late to sow. 

Too late! too late! 
It is too late to sow. 

In wintry days, when weary earth 

Lies cold in pulseless sleep, 
With not a blossom on her shroud, 
It is too late to reap. 

Too late! too late! 
It is too late to reap. 

When blue-eyed violets are astir, 

And new-born grasses creep, 
And young birds chirp, then sow betimes, 

And thou betimes shalt reap. 

Then sow! then sow! 
And thou betimes shalt reap. " 



40 



Opportunity 

Master of human destinies am I ! 
Fame, love, and fortune on my footsteps wait. 
Cities and fields I walk; I penetrate 
Deserts and seas remote, and passing by 
Hovel and mart and palace — soon or late 
I knock unbidden once at every gate! 

If sleeping, wake — if feasting, rise before 

I turn away. It is the hour of fate, 

And they who follow me reach every state 

Mortals desire, and conquer every foe 

Save death; but those who doubt or hesitate, 

Condemned to failure, penury, and woe, 

Seek me in vain and uselessly implore. 

I answer not, and I return no more! 

— J. J. Ingalls. 

Conclusion 

"If I knew you and you knew me — 

If both of us could clearly see, 

And with an inner sight divine 

The meaning of your heart and mine, 

I'm sure that we would differ less 

And clasp our hands in friendliness; 

Our thoughts would pleasantly agree 

If I knew you and you knew me. " 
The above quotation expresses my sentiments towards 
every stammerer. I am devoting my life to his cause. If 
you are afflicted with this distressing impediment, why 
shouldn't you, to a reasonable extent, confide in me? Mark 
well this point: 

In this little volume, I have given you, free of cost, a 
working outline of the most scientific, the most practical, the 
most effective method for the permanent cure of stammering 
ever devised. Thousands of stammerers throughout the 
world have been inspired by its teaching — hundreds have 
expressed their appreciation in writing. 

You must know that there are many unprincipled practi- 
tioners in this business who are constantly clouding your 
path. Thousands have made costly mistakes — mistakes 
not easily repaired — by seeking a cure where very little 
constructive work is done. They become intoxicated with 
alluring, seductive promises and fall easy, innocent victims. 

41 



If you are puzzled as to what school to attend, you stand 
greatly in need of sound advice. I want to communicate 
with you, to counsel you, to know you, to serve you. Un- 
questionably, you would gain much by a visit to this In- 
stitute. Such a visit would in no way obligate you. 
Remember, I make no statement in writing that I cannot 
substantiate by indisputable evidence. 

Will you outgrow stammering? Hardly. If you have 
reached the age of ten and still stammer, your chances for 
outgrowing it are very slight. Under such conditions, my 
experience teaches me that not more than one in one hundred 
outgrows stammering. In view of this fact, do you think 
it wise to put off the proper kind of training until your 
trouble becomes acute — until you become practically 
speechless? 

Can stammering be cured by correspondence, or home- 
treatment? You are the one great factor in answering that 
question. If your case is a mild one, and if you work intel- 
ligently along the lines I have laid down, I believe it can 
be done. At any rate, it is worth a conscientious trial. 
From such an effort, you have everything to gain and nothing 
to lose. Rest assured that you will be working along correct 
lines. That in itself is a great consolation. 

I believe, as I believe that I am alive, that re-education is 
the key to a permanent cure. Go to work, then, today — don't 
put your trusts in tomorrow. 

If your efforts should prove futile and you find it necessary 
to attend a school, your principal need is a qualified teacher. 
You want a teacher who devotes his time to his students — 
not one who sits in his office and concocts schemes 
to get more students, leaving those who paid for his services 
to struggle and practice among themselves. You want 
training, growth, development — not old maxims, hair- 
splitting definitions, and generalities. 

How is one to judge of the merits of a teacher or school? 
By results from the students' standpoint and results only. 
Investigate wisely. Then, attend the school that will, in 
your judgment, give you satisfactory, permanent results. 
With best wishes, I am, 

Cordially and sincerely yours, 
M. L. Hatfield 



42 



Announcement 

"The world is being educated every day to the 
recognition of new conditions and the acceptance 
of new principles. The ideas which seemed radical 
yesterday seem rational today." 

The Hatfield Institute was established in Chicago, Feb- 
ruary, 1916. Six years prior to that time the school was 
located in Oakland, California. We have a central location 
— The Daniel Hayes Building (top floor — ) 109 North Dear- 
born St., Corner Washington and Dearborn Sts., Chicago, 111. 
The class room is well lighted and ventilated, and contains 
about 900 square feet of space. 

The work is under the direct supervision of M. L. Hatfield, 
who was at one time a severe stammerer, but you would 
never suspect it, as he now talks as fluently and freely as 
anyone. His writings are proof enough that he has stam- 
mered. No one, who has never stammered, can discuss 
the subject of stammering as he does. He is, indeed, a 
master of his profession. He takes a personal interest 
in each student — is an acute observer — wonderfully patient 
— an indefatigable worker — and exerts a phenomenal influence 
over his students. You will be exceedingly fortunate to 
obtain the services of such an expert. 

The Hatfield Method — a word and sentence method, founded 
on the basis principles of re-education — has revolutionized 
all antiquated remedies. By antiquated remedies, we mean 
mechanical devices, nerve tonics, sing-songing, time-beating, 
and arm -swinging. Sing-songing each syllable in your 
discourse is quite as objectionable as arm-swinging. This 
is the only school in America, so far as we know, that does 
not resort to dividing the words into syllables in a sing-song 
manner. 

The Hatfield Method kills the fear of stammering by 
supplanting abnormal conditions with natural ones, thereby 
eliminating all chances for a relapse. It assists in develop- 
ing a captivating personality, through the magic power of 
a trained mind and voice, increasing your happiness and 
efficiency. It fits you for a broader sphere of activity — 
social, home or business. It equips you with the mightiest 
weapon in existence with which to fight the battles of life — 
fluent speech. The result is well-founded confidence. 

We make a specialty of individual instructions. No two 
stammerers are afflicted in just the same manner, therefore, 
special attention is quite imperative, if the best results are 
to be obtained. 

43 



Along with individual instructions, comes class-room 
practice in reading, reproduction, speaking, debating, tele- 
phoning, and so on. Under this method of treatment, a 
medium sized class is best. If the class is too large, the 
student cannot be given the necessary time for practice — 
constructive practice. 

Our literature is wisely selected and of the best, that 
all — grammar students, high school students, university 
students, and business people — may be permanently bene- 
fitted. In addition to a cure for stammering, the student 
gains much information from short biography, history, 
classic reading, and expression. Added to our own literature, 
students have access to Chicago's finest public library, which 
is only three blocks away. 

Such gymnastic exercises as are remedial in correcting 
false methods in breathing are given daily. The diaphragm- 
atic muscle should be well developed. In this particular, 
rhythmic breathing is our hobby. The student should be 
taught to breathe deeply, rhythmically, correctly, without 
being conscious of it. 

Mr. Hatfield taboos such exercises as forcing out each 
syllable of a sentence in a jerky manner; monotonous chart 
drills, such as repeating over and over again a, e, i, o, u; pa, 
pe, pi, po, pu; ta, te, ti, to, tu, etc. In truth, the stammerer, 
even before attending a school, can repeat such drills, as an 
exercise, as well as one who never stammered. We waste 
no time on an exercise that has no constructive, practical 
value. 

The work here is in no way monotonous. It points 
steadily towards self-control and eliminates everything that 
stands in the way. In a remarkably short time, by system- 
atic training, the student's forced, laborious utterance gives 
way to musical, restful, harmonious speech. 

Time Required to Effect a Cure — This depends largely 
on the severity of the case. Some are cured in two or three 
weeks' time; others require in the neighborhood of eight 
weeks. The average time is about four weeks. It is wise 
for the student to stay until he has mastered every detail 
of the work — until he can talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime 
— until his confidence is well-founded. The time question 
is partially determined by the manner in which the student 
applies himself. Don't forget that you, yourself, are an 
important factor in any course of training. 

Session Hours — School is in session five hours each day, 
except Sunday. The work begins at 9 A. M. and continues 

44 



till 11:30. One hour intermission for rest and lunch. In 
the afternoon the work is continued from 12 :30 to 3. During 
this time students are under the direct supervision and 
guidance of Mr. Hatfield. 

An Evening Session is conducted for those who cannot 
attend during the day. Many take the Day Course for a 
week or so — then secure employment to help defray expenses, 
and finish with the Evening Course. If one is financially 
embarrassed, this is a good plan. Many of our young men 
have instantly found work at from $15 to $25 per week. 
We will do what we can to assist you in this particular. 
Money matters ought not bar you from taking this course. 
A wide-awake, high-spirited, ambitious young man will 
make a way. 

Board and Room — We do not board students, therefore, 
those who come from a distance are at liberty to choose 
their own quarters. We are in touch with a number of 
suitable places where the rates are reasonable. 

The Y.M.C.A. Hotel, 822 S. Wabash Av., which is open 
to the public, is only a few blocks away, where one can get 
neat well-kept rooms at 50 cents per day. There are 1,800 
rooms in this hotel and a good lunch room in connection. 
Many of our students (boys and young men) room here and 
eat where they like. 

The Y.W.C. Boarding House is a good place for girls. It 
is not in walking distance of this Institute, however, and you 
would be obliged to take a street car daily. The rates are 
very reasonable. 

If you desire to stop with a reliable, private family, we 
can so place you. Of course, the rates depend upon the 
quality of the service. Let us know your wants, and we 
will gladly assist you to obtain them. 

Students too young to find their own way about a large 
city should be accompanied by parent or guardian. An 
intelligent child of ten years, who is really anxious to be 
cured, can be successfully treated. 

We see to it that you are not obliged to associate with 
anyone who would in any way handicap you in your progress. 
Some students would have a good, wholesome influence 
over you; others would not. 

Tuition — ■ There is a vast difference in the degree of 
stammering. The price in this Institute is regulated by 
the severity of the case, time required to effect a cure, etc. 
The management thinks it fair to quote a price of $75 to 
mild cases, $125 to intermediate cases, and $175 to severe 

45 



cases. A cure for stammering cannot be measured in money. 
Quality Service — Service that terminates successfully — 
is cheap at any price. Poor Service — Service that ends 
in failure — is expensive at any price. We offer you the 
best service that can be had in America at modest prices. 

If you will answer, as best you can, the questions on 
the enclosed " symptom sheet," and return the same to this 
office, your case will be diagnosed and a fixed price quoted 
you. When possible, call for a personal interview. This is 
much better. 

Recreation — During the summer months people here 
find great relief from the heat by visiting the many Municipal 
Beaches along the shores of Lake Michigan. Various kinds 
of amusements abound in Chicago's many beautiful parks. 
There is much to see and learn here. Your stay in Chicago 
should be both pleasant and profitable. 

Finale — Stammerers from all parts of the United States 
and Canada and a few from distant countries come here 
with the utmost confidence that they will be taught to talk 
fluently, freely, naturally. We feel a sense of moral responsi- 
bility to these and are bound that their confidence is not 
misplaced. We want what you want — your entire satis- 
faction — nothing less. You cannot escape getting results 
here, if you apply yourself to the work as you should. 

Here there is no fumbling in the dark — here you are 
guided by a master hand — here you are taught a "style of 
talking" that is at once practical and effective — here 
abnormal conditions are supplanted by natural ones — here, 
through the broad, basic principles of re-education, you kill 
the fear of stammering — here you find the key that unlocks 
the door to fluent speech. 

We submit the proposition to your judgment. Will you 
come? 

Students living out of the city are met at stations on 
request. Those who expect such service should notify us 
in advance, giving some sort of description of themselves 
whereby they may be easily recognized, stating time of 
arrival, etc. 

Address all communications to our school office and they 
will receive our immediate attention. 

THE HATFIELD INSTITUTE 

1C9 North Dearborn St., 
Chicago, Illinois 

46 



What Others Say About Mr. Hatfield's Work 

We have on file in this office hundreds of letters from our ex-stu- 
dents and educators similar to the ones here published, which any 
prospective student will be permitted to read that our statements 
may be substantiated. Many cf our students had attended from one 
to three schools before coming here. 

You are cordially invited to visit here and talk with the students 
that you may fully satisfy yourself that the method' is correct. 

Seattle, Wash., May 3, 1909. 
This is to certify that Mr. M. L. Hatfield has been in charge of a 
School for Stammerers in connection with the public schools of this 
city for a number of months. This school was undertaken after I had 
investigated the character of Mr. Hatfield's work, and his success with 
the boys and girls afflicted with stammering who have been assigned 
to his care has been very gratifying, and has entirely justified the good 
opinion that I had formed of his ability to do this kind of work. 

Frank B. Cooper, 
Supt. of City Schools. 



Los Angeles Calif., Jan, 26, 1911. 
My Dear Mr. Hatfield: 

I am personally acquainted with B. D. Forbes of this city and have 
been much delighted at the effects, of your teaching. Mr. Forbes was 
almost a hopeless stammerer before he went to you, but in recent con- 
versation with him I find that he can talk with considerable ease, and 
has full mastery of himself. I am also acquainted with Daniel McPeak 
of this city by reputation. His people are greatly pleased at the prog- 
ress made in your school. 

W ith best wishes for your continued success, I am, 

Very truly yours, 
J. H. Francis, 
Supt. of City Schools. 



Sacramento, Calif., Aug. 25, 1910. 
To Whom It May Concern: 

It gives me pleasure to be able to recommend the work of Mr. M. L. 
Hatfield. 

My sixteen-year old son, who had difficulty with his speech since 
early childhood, spent five weeks under Mr. Hatfield's care during the 
early summer of 1910. Since he returned six weeks ago, I have never 
noticed him to hesitate and a perfect control of the organs of speech 
seems assured. I feel that any relapse in his case would be due to 
carelessness. He found the exercises helpful in more ways than one 
and the associations very pleasant. 

Family and friends are delighted with the happy results and deem 
the value of the training inestimable. 

Parents should not hesitate to send their children to Mr. Hatfield 

47 



for treatment, if they are in need of the services of such a specialist. 
I am, Very truly yours, 

(Mrs.) Minnie R. O'Neil 
County Supt. of Schools. 



Mr. M. L. Hatfield, 

The Hatfield Institute, Chicago, 111. 
Dear Mr. Hatfield: 

We have delayed writing you, that we might speak with certainty 
about Ned's cure being permanent. 

It seems almost too good to be true, that, in three weeks' time, he 
would be so completely cured, that he would never stammer again. 
He has not stammered once since he returned, and we are now convinced 
that he never will. In fact, Ned says that one can't stammer after 
having attended your Institute. He was always making excuses, 
fearing that he would have trouble with certain words. Now it is 
very different. He is anxious to do anything that requires talking, or 
reading aloud. He enjoyed being with you very much, and you can 
always count him as one of your staunch friends. 

We are, indeed, grateful to you that Ned has been so quickly and 
entirely relieved of the one hindrance to his success. You have a 
wonderful method and great patience and perseverance, and we pre- 
dict that the Hatfield Institute will soon become renowned as the best 
Institution of the kind in America. 

Most sincerely yours, 

Mrs. L. Leavitt, 
630 W . 10th St., Sioux Falls, S. Dak. 
July 25, 1917. 

To Whom It May Concern: 

Mr. M. L. Hatfield's work with stammerers has come under my 
personal observation, and it gives me pleasure to testify to his very 
great success in the work. 

Very truly, 

S. E. Coleman, A. A., 
Head of Science Department in Oakland High School, Oakland, Calif. 



To all men and women who stammer: 

I cannot praise Professor Hatfield too highly. I went to him a very 
bad stammerer; he sent me away a fluent speaker. In three weeks he 
had wrought the miracle. 

I had stammered since a child. Every word in the language was a 
difficulty, and hundreds of them were impossibilities, which I no longer 
attempted. For years I had been on a discouraging hunt for a cure. 
I had met men from other schools with a so called " cure, " sing-songing 
their words in a funeral chant or spitting them out very much like a 
bunch of fire-crackers set off in rapid succession. Their last state was 
truly worse than their first, and I did not want any of it. 

I did not want such a cure, and I could not face the future the way 
I was, so, in a last desperate attempt, I wrote to Mr. Hatfield, even 
though I suspected he was a faker. He referred me to a number of his 
students, several living in Los Angeles which was my home city. I 
wrote to three or four of them and one called on me. 

48 



He spoke so fluently and with such natural ease that I expected he 
had some worthless stock for which he was seeking a market, but instead 
he told me he was one of Mr. Hatfield's old students, and that he had 
once stammered as badly as I did. 

I took his advice, yet secretly expecting the whole thing to prove 
itself a fraud. But to be able to say I had tried everything would at 
least be some satisfaction. 

In three weeks I was back home talking as I never talked before. 
That was three years ago. Since that time, I have traveled a great 
deal and have been forced to speak under various stresses of emotion 
and fatigue, but my trouble has never returned. 

Professor Hatfield has a wonderful personality that inspires hope in 
the most discouraged. After a few minutes of his instructions, I knew 
I had met a master! a man who knew what he was about and how to 
do it. I never stammered after the second day in his school. I thought 
this remarkable, but heard from others it was a common experience. 

There were several men there at the time who had tried other schools. 
One had been to three. These men went away cured. 

Mr. Hatfield is an expert. He does not fumble in the dark; he 
understands his profession. He gives each student individual attention, 
discovers each one's special difficulties, and proceeds to remove them. 
Natural speech follows and remains. 

No matter where you have sought relief, if you have failed to get it, 
give him a trial, and you will speak as free and easy as men who never 
stammered. I do not understand how one can escape a cure with his 
system. E. A. Wikholm, 

1046 H W. Temple, Los Angeles, Calif., Feb. 22, 1915. 



To Whom It May Concern: 

1 am a preacher of the gospel and wish to recommend Prof. Hat- 
field's method for overcomming stammering. I speak from experience, 
because I attended Mr. Hatfield's school when he was in Oakland, 
Calif. I was compelled to quit preaching for several years on account 
of stammering, but after attending his school for a little more than 
two weeks, I could talk without stammering to any great extent. 

By putting into practice the principles I learned while in school, I 
have completely overcome my former difficulty. Today I have no 
fear of stammering. I feel very grateful to Mr. Hatfield for his valuable 
service. In his line, 1 believe he has few equals and no superiors. 

Very truly yours, 
Rev. Edward Mackey, 

Bear, Idaho, July 5, 1916. 



My Dear Mr. Hatfield: 

It has been three months since my son, Earl, returned home from a 
six weeks' term in your school, and I wish to state I am more than 
pleased with the results. You will better understand how much I 
appreciate the benefits he received, when I tell you that about a year 
and a half ago, when he was fourteen, 1 sent him to Philadelphia, to one 
of the most expensively advertised schools in this country, and that 
after a term there, they pronounced him cured. He came home and 
in a few weeks he was stammering worse than ever and continued to get 
worse up to the time he entered your school. 

49 



I have not heard him stammer a single time since he came home 
from your school, and he uses the telephone many times a day with no 
trouble whatever. He could never do this before going to you. 

I believe he is entirely cured, and I wish to thank you again for the 
great benefit he received from your treatment, and I sincerely hope 
everyone afflicted as he was will grasp this opportunity to be cured. 

Most sincerely yours, 

Geo. W. Van Meter, 
Goldfield, Nev., March 17, 1911. 



Mr. M. L. Hatfield, 

Chicago, 111. 
My Dear Sir,— 

You cured my son five years ago and he has not stammered since. 
My daughter now has a little girl, three years old who talked all 
right until four or five months ago, when she commenced to stammer. 
She is getting worse and can hardly say a word now. She is a very 
bright child and has an excellent memory. Do you think it best to 
bring her to you now, or would you advise waiting until she is older? 

Very truly yours, 

Geo. W. Van Meter, 

Goldfield, Nev., July, 9, 1915. 



To Whom It May Concern: 

In 1911 I attended the Lewis school for six weeks but received no 
benefit. I then attended the Northwestern school for twelve weeks and 
was equally unsuccessful. 

About one year ago, I attended the Hatfield Institute. What I 
learned in this school has been both practical and permanent. 

Having had a great deal of experience with Stammering Schools, 
I do not hesitate to advise any stammerer to take the Hatfield Course. 
Mr. Hatfield towers above them all as a teacher. 

Very truly yours, 

Chas. Twogood, 

Moville, la., June 17, 1916. 



I attended the Northwestern school for about fifteen months. They 
taught me a monotone style of talking that I was ashamed to practice 
among strangers, and, therefore, I got no permanent results. 

I then attended the Hatfield Institute for about six weeks. The 
results were permanent. Mr Hatfield teaches a "style of talking" 
that is natural in every particular. He teaches you to get rid of the 
fear of stammering along the lines of psychology and re-education. He 
is an adept at teaching and takes a lively interest in his students at 
all times. 

If you are thinking of attending a school of this kind , don't be carried 
away by big promises and class room pictures. Visit the Hatfield 
Institute first, talk with his students, investigate his work. You will 
find in his Institute, at all times, students who have failed to get results 

50 



in other schools, and from them you could obtain information that will 
open your eyes and keep you from making mistakes that are not easily 
repaired. 

Very truly yours, 

P. A. Martin, Jr., 
2509 9th St., Wichita Falls, Tex., 

July 20, 1915. 



Mr. M.L. Hatfield, 

Chicago, 111. 

Dear Friend: — ■ 

I take this opportunity to thank you for the benefit received from 
your method while attending your school. 

Since leaving your school, I haven't in any way had any bother with 
my speech and feel confident that by your method I have overcome 
stammering which was a great hindrance to my progress. 

I had been afflicted with stammering for fifteen years, and in that time 
had attended two schools, one in Indianapolis, the other in Detroit, 
with no benefit. 

I most heartily recommend your method to any one so unfortunate 
as to be afflicted with stammering. 

I remain 

Yours truly, 

Robert H. Dare, 
La Gro, Ind., August 16, 1916. 



To Whom It May Concern: 

I take great pleasure in recommending Mr. M. L. Hatfield and his 
School for stammerers to anyone afflicted with a speech impediment. 
I attended the Hatfield School in 1910 and was cured of a very severe 
case of stammering, from which I had suffered since early childhood. 
Previous to this time I had the very unpleasant experience of being 
"stung" by a so-called specialist, who relieved me of $150 and claimed 
I was cured in one week, when as a matter of fact, my trouble grew 
worse. Many others were swindled by this same "professor," just 
as I was, and I understand he is still working in this country. 

It was, indeed, a pleasure to attend the Hatfield School where every- 
one is treated fair and square and where one has an excellent opportu- 
nity to overcome his or her impediment. And so I say anyone who 
stammers or stutters, "Don't wait, thinking you will outgrow it, and 
above all, don't waste your time, and money on the bunco artists 
who style themselves 'professors' and who make marvelous claims 
of having cured thousands by some secret, easy method, in a few days' 
time, for they will do you more harm than good." Just take this 
little tip from one who knows: Go to the Hatfield School, where you may 
visit the class room and see for yourself just what you are going to get 
for your money. 

You will find Mr. Hatfield to be a gentleman in every respect and 
you will never regret attending his school, for as our "flouring friends" 
of Minneapolis continue to say, Eventually! Why not now? 

Very respectfully, 
S. S. Peck, 
Santa Paula, Calif., July 10, 1916. 

51 



To Stammerers: 

Being located in Chicago I am acquainted with The Hatfield Insti- 
tute. My brother, eighteen years old, had stammered during many 
years. For his benefit I visited Mr. Hatfield's class, observing the 
method and talking with the students. My brother took up the class 
work and developed into a good reader and talker after five weeks' 
practice. During his study period I visited the class frequently. There 
were students from the Lewis, Bogue, and Northwestern Stammering 
schools. They found The Hatfield Method to be superior, more natural 
and practical than that in former schools. 

Mr. Hatfield's Method is pedagogical. The books used are historical 
and develop good qualities in a student. 

Upon these observations and experiences, I do recommend the 
Hatfield Institute. 

Respectfully, 
Rev. H. O. Henderickson, 
Nazareth Lutheran Church, 

Yale Ave. and 118th Street, Chicago, 111. 
Feb. 18th. 1919, 



To Whom It May Concern: 

I take great pleasure in recommending The Hatfield Institute for 
stammerers. I came to Mr. Hatfield very much discouraged, as I had 
attended The Bogue School in Indianapolis, Ind. for 13 weeks and 
received no benefit. After learning of The Hatfield Institute, I decided 
to try it, although I felt very doubtful as to what the results would be. 
But I can truthfully say that in two days' of Mr. Hatfield's instruction 
I received more benefit than in the 13 weeks spent in The Bogue School. 

Mr. Hatfield's method is natural in every particular. He teaches 
you how to produce and control voice, and re-educates you out of the 
fear of stammering. 

You can notice the cheerful look on the faces of his students. They 
are becoming masters of themselves. You, who are so unfortunate as 
to stammer, can make no mistake in going to The Hatfield Institute 
for treatment. Mr. Hatfield does his own teaching and takes great 
interest in his students. 

Very sincerely, 

Martha B. Motz, 
Edinburg, 111. 
Feb. 27, 1919. In care of Mrs. Martha Igou 



To Whom It May Concern: 

It gives me much pleasure to say a word of recommendation for The 
Hatfield Institute for stammerers. 

My twelve year old son, who was afflicted with stammering quite 
badly since early childhood, spent five weeks under Mr. Hatfield's 
care, during November and December of 1918, and we believe he is 
entirely cured. 

You will find Mr. Hatfield a gentleman in every respect, and I feel 
very grateful to him for his valued services. 
Very truly yours, 
J. W. Norris, 

4726 N. Spaulding Ave., 
Chicago, 111. 
Feb. 1st, 1919. 

52 



My Dear Mr. Hatfield: 

I take this opportunity of writing and thanking you for all you did 
for me. I have had no trouble with my speech since returning home. 
The five weeks spent with you were most profitable. 

As I was a stammerer for twelve years, it is a great relief to me to 
speak freely. Anyone afflicted with stammering ought not hesitate 
one moment in deciding where to go. There are many schools that 
make an attempt to cure stammering, but in my opinion, there is one 
place to be cured, and that is at The Hatfield Institute. 

Again thanking, you 1 remain, 
Yours truly, 
William Hendrickson, 

Lamberton, Minn., Route 2, box 89. 



Momence, 111., Sept. 3rd, 1916. 
Dear Mr. Hatfield: 

It gives me much pleasure to say how much benefit I received from 
attending your school in Chicago. 

Before attending your school, I had just about despaired of ever 
getting cured of stammering. I have always been afraid of fakes and 
my experience at some of the schools was very discouraging. But 
when I received your letter,' I was convinced that your method was 
genuine. I was not disappointed. I can now talk with ease, even the 
telephone, which used to fill me with dread, has lost its terror. 

I would say to anyone afflicted with stammering, go at once to Mr. 
Hatfield. My only regret is that I did not hear of your school sooner. 
With best wishes, I am, 
Yours faithfully, 

Boyce Mackenzie, 

R.F.D., Momence, 111. 



Although I have been at The Hatfield Institute but three weeks, 
I have much improved in my speech. Formerly I attended a school 
in Milwaukee for over a year. 

The method of The Hatfield Institute is far superior to that of the 
Milwaukee school, and the instructions are decidedly better. Anyone 
of normal ability who consistently applies this method to his own 
case cannot fail to obtain beneficial results. 

J. D. Sarven, 

Post Office Box 987, 

St. Petersburg, Florida. 
March 5th, 1919. 



To Stammerers: 

My boy, eleven years old, had stammered for many years. During 
the eight weeks he has been attending The Hatfield Institute, he has 
developed into a good reader and talker. 

We find Mr. Hatfield's method more natural than any other known 
to us. I do recommend the Hatfield Institute. 

Respectfully yours, 
Mrs. E. Poggensee, 

4450 Altgeld St., Chicago. 
March 6th, 1919. 

53 



To Whom It May Concern: 

It is with great pleasure that I can recommend to all who stammer, 
The Hatfield Institute. 

Before attending this school, I attended an Institution in Detroit, 
Mich, two different times, staying about eight weeks the first time and 
about nine weeks the second time. The method used at the school in 
Detroit was not a natural method, however, and I became worse each 
time after returning home. 

Three years later I was treated by Prof. Ennis in Chicago, but again 
failed to get a cure. Sometime later I took a correspondence course 
from an Institution in Washington, D. C, but received absolutely 
no benefit. 

About eight weeks ago I went to The Hatfield Institute. I was at 
once greatly impressed with the method taught. I was under Mr. 
Hatfield's instructions about three and one-half weeks and left his 
school complete master of myself. 

When I went to the Hatfield Institute, I was what might be termed 
a severe stammerer. Now I speak with great ease and confidence, 
and perfectly natural. There is no sing-songing, or time-beating in 
The Hatfield method. His method inspires confidence. I have been 
entirely cured of timidity and self-consciousness. 

Mr. Hatfield takes a great interest in his students, and I found him 
to be honest and kind hearted. His manner of teaching inspires 
confidence in his students. Aside from the wonderful benefit I received, 
I count the time spent with him among the pleasant days of my life. 
If you stammer, you cannot make a mistake in taking The Hatfield 
Course. 

Yours truly, 

Arthur Ball, 

Foosland, 111. 

March 5th, 1919. 



What School? 

I attended the Bogue School in Indianapolis, Ind. for 8 weeks and 
continued to use that method for 6 months, but it did not help my 
speech in the least. 

I have been in the Hatfield Institute only 5 days and already feel 
quite confident even in talking to strangers. The Hatfield Method 
is practical and he teaches his students in a masterly manner. You 
can make no mistake in taking his course. 

Sincerely yours, 
J. L. Peterson, 

1025 Eighth St., Beloit Wis. 
March 13th, 1919. 



54 



SYMPTOM SHEET 

If you will answer the questions on this sheet, as best you can, 
with any additional information you care to give, cut it out and mail 
it to me, I will diagnose your case, tell you about how long it will 
take to cure you, quote you a fixed price, etc. 

1. Name Address 

2. Nationality Age 

3. Occupation 

4. Ever been treated? . By Whom? 

Results 

5. At about what age did yOur trouble manifest itself? 

6. Do you know of any particular incident to which you attribute 

the growth of your trouble? 

7. Did either of your parents ever have a speech impediment? 

8. Is your speech trouble gradually growing worse? 

Improving? 

9. Do you stammer or stutter often? 

Only occasionally? 

10. Do you stammer or stutter worse when excited? 

1 1 . Do you talk better among friends than strangers? 

12. Is the thought that you are likely to stammer constantly in the 

mind? 

13. Are you self-conscious? 

14. Do you repeat your words and syllables? 

15. Do you often force a complete stoppage by closing the glottis? 

16. Are there certain "bugaboo" words and sounds that you fear 

you can't utter even before you make the attempt? 

Do you often substitute other words for these words? 

Could you name particular sounds that frequently cause 
you trouble? 

55 






17. Do you contort your features in attempting to talk during critical 

moments? 

18. Are you likely to have trouble on any word, under certain con- 

ditions, and when you are confused or agitated? 

19. Were you to go on an errand, would you think of the particular 

thing you had to say before it is necessary to say it? 



20. Are you in good health? 

21. About what time of the year could you most conveniently take 

a course in this Institute? 

If you know the names and addresses of any stammerers, kindly 
write them here. It would be doing them a kindness. I will mail 
each a copy of the most helpful book ever published for stammerers. 

Name Address 

Name Address 

Name Address 

Name Address 

Name Address 

Cordially and sincerely yours, 

THE HATFIELD INSTITUTE 

109 North Dearborn St., Chicago, 111. 

REMARKS 



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